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SEYMOUR  DURST 


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REVOLUTIONARY  INCIDENTS 


OF 


SUFFOLK  AND  KINGS 


COUNTIES; 


WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


THE  BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND, 


THE  BRITISH  PRISONS  AND  PRISON  SHIPS  AT 
NEW-YORK. 


r  BY 

HENRY  ONDERDONK,  JR. 


NEW-YORK : 
!,!:.\VITT  &  COMPANY,  191  BROADWAY 
1849. 


John  F.  Trow,  Priktke, 
49  Ann-it.,  H.  Y. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  volume  completes  a  plan  the  compiler  had 
some  years  since  conceived,  of  collecting  and  arranging  in 
chronological  order,  the  scattered  and  fragmentary  notices  of 
the  events  that  occurred  on  Long  Island,  during  our  Revo- 
lutionary struggle. 

The  history  of  the  Island  during  this  soul-stirring  period 
has  been  hitherto  clouded  in  gross  darkness.  Indeed  the 
very  name  scarcely  appears  on  the  pages  of  our  History, 
except  to  record  a  disastrous  defeat  of  our  arms. 

The  contents  of  these  volumes  show  that  Long  Island  is 
not  barren  in  Revolutionary  Incidents,  unique  in  their  cha- 
racter, and  instructive  to  the  student  of  our  country's  history. 

The  Counties  of  Suffolk,  Queens  and  Kings,  each  played 
a  different  and  yet  appropriate  part  in  the  great  drama  of 
the  Revolution. 

At  the  first  outbreak  of  rebellion  in  the  port  of  Boston, 
we  find  the  Puritans  of  Suffolk  assembling  in  almost  every 
town,  and  voting  resolutions  of  aid  and  sympathy  for  their 
brethren  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay.  Nor  were  these  ex- 
pressions heartless.  The  people  were  ready  to  follow  their 
leaders  in  rebellion,  the  militia  were  organized,  and  Suffolk 
armed  for  the  contest. 

Far  different  was  the  state  of  feeling  in  Queens  County. 
Here  the  Royal  Governors,  and  other  crown  officers  had  oc- 
casionally resided,  and  exerted  an  overshadowing  influence. 
They  were  often  connected  with  other  wealthy  and  aristo- 
cratic families  in  the  County,  who  had  also  their  adherents 
and  dependents.  Then,  there  was  the  peaceable  Quaker, 
the  passive  Dutchman ;  and  the  Church-of-England-man, 


PREFACE. 


bound  to  the  King  by  a  double  tie,  as  head  of  Church  and 
State.  All  these  made  a  dead  weight,  that  the  rampant 
spirit  of  rebellion  could  hardly  move,  until  the  Congressional 
army  marched  into  the  County,  disarmed  the  Loyalists  and 
carried  off  their  leaders. 

The  population  of  Kings  County  was  mostly  Dutch,  who 
made  but  a  tardy  and  feeble  show  of  resistance  to  the  powers 
that  be  ;  her  Deputies  finally  absented  themselves  from  the 
Provincial  Congress,  and  the  flagging  spirit  of  revolt  quickly 
subsided  at  the  approach  of  the  British  fleet. 

After  the  American  army  abandoned  the  Island  to  the 
enemy,  there  was  still  a  difference  in  the  conduct  of  the 
Counties.  The  prominent  Whjgs  of  Suffolk  fled  to  their 
brethren  on  the  Main,  with  what  movables  they  could  carry, 
leaving  behind  their  stock,  houses  and  farms  to  the  enemy. 
Those  who  remained,  reluctantly  took  an  oath  of  allegiance, 
which  they  never  meant  to  regard,  and  were  ever  treacherous 
subjects  of  a  King  they  had  sworn  to  obey. 

The  great  majority  of  the  people  of  Queens  County,  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance  in  good  faith,  and  observed  it. 
Most  of  the  leading  Whigs,  trusting  to  British  proclamations, 
and  not  knowing  where  to  go,  remained  at  home,  and  were 
punished  in  various  ways  for  their  undutiful  conduct. 
Many  suffered  imprisonment,  which  to  some  ended  only  in 
death. 

The  case  of  Kings  County  was  somewhat  similar  to  that 
of  Queens.  Many  of  its  peace-loving  inhabitants  had  already 
deserted  their  homes  on  the  prospect  of  its  becoming  the 
theatre  of  hostilities.  The  leading  Whigs  fled  among  their 
Dutch  brethren,  some  to  New  Jersey,  and  some  up  the 
North  River,  while  a  few  who  remained  and  trusted  to  the 
chances  of  British  clemency,  were  thrown  in  the  Provost. 

Within  two  months  after  the  American  Army  had  given 
up  the  Island,  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  three  Counties 
had  signed  a  representation  of  loyalty  to  King  George  the 


PREFACE. 


7 


Third  ;  and  in  order  that  their  wholesome  example  of  dutiful 
return  to  obedience  might  have  its  influence  on  the  other 
rebellious  portions  of  the  State,  it  was  published  at  length  in 
the  New- York  Mercury,  with  the  names  of  all  the  signers  in 
Queens  and  Kings  Counties. 

During  the  entire  period  of  the  revolution,  the  British 
held  New- York  City,  apart  of  Westchester  County,  and  all  of 
Staten  and  Long  Island  under  military  rule.  There  were 
no  elections — no  voting  except  at  annual  town  meetings — none 
except  town  taxes  to  pay — no  judges — no  courts  of  civil  ju- 
dicature, their  place  being  supplied  by  the  arbitrary  fiat  of  a 
King's  justice  or  some  military  character.  True,  a  summary 
Court  of  Police  was  after  a  while  established  in  New- York 
City ;  and  at  length,  in  the  year  1780,  for  the  greater  con- 
venience of  His  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  on  Long  Island,  a 
Court  of  Police  was  also  opened  in  Jamaica.  The  inhabit- 
ants could  not  go  to  or  from  the  city,  or  bring  out  goods, 
without  a  permit.  The  price  of  wood  and  farmer's  produce 
was  regulated  by  proclamation  ;  their  horses,  wagons  and 
persons,  could  at  any  time  be  impressed  into  the  King's  ser- 
vice, at  a  stipulated  price.  In  the  winter  season  almost  every 
village  and  hamlet  was  filled  with  British  soldiers  and 
wagoners,  billeted  in  the  people's  houses,  or  cantoned  in  tem- 
porary huts.  The  consequence  was,  a  ready  market  and 
high  price  for  such  of  the  farmer's  produce  as  had  not  been 
previously  pilfered.  The  farmers  flourished  on  British  gold  ; 
but  as  there  were  few  opportunities  for  investing  it,  and  no 
banks  of  deposit  for  safe  keeping,  they  were  compelled  to  keep 
their  money  by  them,  and  were  often  robbed.  The  churches, 
not  of  the  established  faith,  were  mostly  occupied  by  soldiers, 
or  used  as  storehouses  and  prisons ;  some  were  even  torn  down. 

In  Suffolk  County,  the  illicit  trade  forms  a  striking  fea- 
ture. This  consisted  in  buying  imported  goods  in  New- 
York  City,  (with  the  professed  design  of  retailing  them  to 
faithful  subjects  in  the  County,)  and  then  carrying  them 


8 


PREFACE. 


down  the  Island  to  secret  landing-places,  whence  they  were 
sent  across  the  Sound  in  whale-boats,  under  cover  of  night, 
and  exchanged  with  the  people  of  Connecticut  for  provisions, 
and  farmer's  produce,  of  which  the  British  army  stood  in 
great  need.  Though  this  trade  was  prohibited  by  both  Ameri- 
can and  British  authority,  yet  the  cunning  of  the  smugglers 
(who  often  acted  as  spies)  generally  eluded  the  sleepy  vigi- 
lance of  government  officials.  This  trade  was  protected  by 
the  sparse  population  of  Suffolk  County,  the  extensive  sea- 
border,  the  absence  of  a  British  armed  force,  and  the  prover- 
bial insincerity  of  the  people  in  their  professed  allegiance. 

Owing  to  this  Whiggish  feeling  of  the  inhabitants,  every 
invading  party  of  their  brethren  from  the  Main — whether  to 
Sag  Harbor,  St.  George's,  or  Slongo — always  found  ready 
and  effectual  aid  in  guides,  food,  or  information.  Indeed 
"Washington  used  to  say,  that  he  always  had  more  correct 
knowledge  by  spies,  of  the  position  and  designs  of  the  British 
army  on  Long  Island,  than  at  any  other  place.  In  fine,  the 
British  authority  in  Suffolk  County,  was  little  more  than  an 
empty  shadow. 

Quite  different  was  the  state  of  things  in  Queens  and 
Kings  Counties.  Here  the  great  body  of  the  people  were  at 
heart  loyal,  the  settled  parts  were  more  compact,  and  rarely 
free  from  the  presence  of  armed  troops,  spreading  dissipation 
and  shining  gold  with  open  hand. 

Although  the  people  of  Long  Island  had  taken  an  oath  of 
fealty  to  the  British  crown  in  1776,  they  were  never  deemed 
honaf.de  British  subjects,  and  on  the  return  of  peace,  in  1783, 
(with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  were  attainted  of  treason,) 
they  quietly  slipped  off  their  oath  with  their  loyalty,  and 
without  the  formality  of  abjuring  their  allegiance,  took  their 
places  among  the  citizens  of  these  free  and  Independent 
States. 

Jamaica,  L.  I.,  May,  1849. 


CONTENTS. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY.  . 
PART  I. 

Sec.  Page 

532 — 599.    Rise  and  Progress  of  the  Revolutionary 

Spirit,  13 

PART  II. 

600—620.    The  Submission,  42 

PART  III. 

621—769.    The  Armed  Occupation,      ....  62 


KINGS  COUNTY. 

PART  I. 

770—802.    Rise  and  Progress  oe  the  Revolutionary 

Sfirit  113 


12 

ft 


CONTENTS. 


PART  II. 

Sec.  Page 

,  803 — 828.    Letters  relating  to  the  Battle  of  Long 

Island,    .       .       .       .       .       .       .  132 

PART  III. 

829—830.    The  Submission,  166 

PART  IV. 

831—964.    The  Armed  Occupation,      .       .       .  .172 

1 

PART  V. 

Incidents  of  the  British  Prisons  and  Prison  Shits  at 

New-York,  207 


APPENDIX. 


Forms  of  Orders,  &c,  issued  in  the  Revolution- 
Additional  Notes,  &c,  .       ...       .  251 


REVOLUTIONARY  INCIDENTS 


OF 

SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


PART  L 

REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT  SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

532.  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  of 
South  Haven,  June  13,  '74,  Wm.  Smith,  Moderator ; 

1 .  It  was  voted  (and  agreed),  that  the  Act  of  Parliament  for  block- 
ing up  the  port  of  Boston,  is  unconstitutional,  and  has  a  direct  ten- 
dency to  enslave  the  inhabitants  of  America,  and  put  an  end  to  all 
property. 

2.  (And  it  is  also  the  opinion  of  this  meeting),  that  if  the  Colo- 
nies all  unite  and  strictly  adhere  to  a  non-importation  agreement 
from  Great  Britain  and  the  West  Indies,  and  have  no  trade  with 
them,  we  should  have  great  reason  to  expect  in  a  short  time,  a  repeal 
of  that  oppressive  act ;  and  for  that  purpose  we  heartily  desire  that 
such  an  agreement  may  be  entered  into. 

3.  (And  it  is  further  voted  and  agreed),  that  Wm.  Smith,  Esq., 
Col.  Nath'l  Woodhull,  Col.  Wm.  Floyd,  Mr.  Thos.  Fanning,  Capt. 
Josiah  Smith,  Capt.  David  Mulford,  and  Capt.  Jona.  Baker,  be  a 
standing  committee  for  this  place,  to  correspond  with  the  Committee 
of  Correspondence  in  the  city  of  N.  Y.,  and  others,  and  that  they 
immediately  communicate  the  above  sentiments  to  them. 

2 


14 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


533.  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  East  Hampton, 
legally  warned  by  the  Trustees,  June  17,  '74,  Eleazar  Mil- 
ler, Esq.,  Moderator  • 

1st.  Voted,  That  we  will  to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities  assert, 
and  in  a  lawful  manner  defend  the  liberties  and  immunities  of  British 
America  ;  that  we  will  co-operate  with  our  brethren  in  this  Colony 
in  such  measures  as  shall  appear  best  adapted  to  save  us  from  the 
burdens  we  fear,  and  in  a  measure  already  feel,  from  the  principles 
adopted  by  the  British  Parliament  respecting  the  town  of  Boston  in 
particular,  and  the  British  Colonies  in  North  America  in  general. 

2d.  Voted,  That  a  non-importation  agreement  through  the  colo- 
nies is  the  most  likely  means  to  save  us  from  the  present  and  future 
troubles. 

3d.  Voted,  That  John  Chatfield,*Esq.,  Col.  Abm.  Gardiner,  Bur- 
net Miller,  Stephen  Hedges,  Thos.  Wickham,  Esq.,  John  Gardiner, 
Esq..  and  Capt.  David  Mulford  be  a  standing  committee  for  keeping 
up  a  correspondence  with  the  city  of  N.  Y.,  and  the  towns  of  this 
colony  ;  and,  if  there  is  occasion,  with  other  colonies  ;  and  that  they 
transmit  a  copy  of  these  votes  to  the  committee  of  correspondence 
for  the  city  of  N.  Y. 

Voted  unanimously,  not  one  dissenting  voice. 

BURNET  MILLER,  Town  Clerk. 

534.  At  a  general  Town  Meeting,  June  21,  '74,  the 
inhabitants  of  Huntington  came  into  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

1st.  That  every  freeman's  property  is  absolutely  his  own,  and  no 
man  has  a  right  to  take  it  from  him  without  his  consent,  expressed 
either  by  himself  or  his  representative. 

2d.  That  therefore,  all  taxes  and  duties  imposed  on  His  Majesty's 
subjects  in  the  American  Colonies  by  the  authority  of  Parliament, 
are  wholly  unconstitutional,  and  a  plain  violation  of  the  most  essen- 
tial rights  of  British  subjects. 

3c?.  That  the  Act  of  Parliament  lately  passed  for  shutting  up  the 
port  of  Boston,  or  any  other  means  or  device,  under  color  of  law,  to 
compel  them,  or  any  other  of  His  Majesty?s  American  subjects,  to 
submit  to  Parliamentary  taxations,  are  subversive  of  their  just  and 
constitutional  liberty. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


15 


4/7?.  That  we  are  of  opinion  that  our  brethren  of  Boston  are  now 
suffering  in  the  common  cause  of  British  America. 

5th.  That  therefore  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  all  the  colonies 
to  unite  in  some  effectual  measures  for  the  repeal  of  said  Act,  and 
every  other  Act  of  Parliament  whereby  they  are  taxed  for  raising 
a  revenue. 

6th.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  that  the  most  effectual 
means  for  obtaining  a  speedy  repeal  of  said  Acts,  will  be  to  break  off 
all  commercial  intercourse  with  Great  Britain,  Ireland,  and  the  En- 
glish West  [ndia  colonies. 

1th.  And  we  hereby  declare  ourselves  ready  to  enter  into  these 
or  such  other  measures  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  a  General  Con- 
gress of  all  the  colonies  ;  and  we  recommend  to  the  General  Con- 
gress to  take  such  measures  as  shall  be  most  effectual  to  prevent 
such  goods  as  are  at  present  in  America,  from  being  raised  to  an  ex- 
travagant price. 

And,  lastly,  we  appoint  Col.  Piatt  Conklin,  John  Sloss  Hobart, 
Esq.,  and  Thos.  Wicks,  a  committee  for  this  town,  to  act  in  con- 
junction with  the  committees  of  the  other  towns  in  the  county,  as  a 
general  committee  for  the  county,  to  correspond  with  the  committee 
of  N.  Y. 

ISRAEL  WOOD,  President. 

535.  The  above  Resolutions  were  also  adopted  at  Smithtown  ; 
and  Aug.  9,  it  was  voted  that  "  Sol.  Smith,  Dan'l  Smith,  and  Thos. 
Tredwell  be  a  committee  fully  empowered,  in  conjunction  with  the 
committees  of  the  other  towns,  to  choose  delegates  to  represent  this 
county  at  the  General  Congress,  and  to  do  all  that  shall  be  necessary 
in  defence  of  our  just  rights  and  liberties  against  the  unconstitutional 
attacks  of  the  British  Ministry  and  Parliament. 

DAN'L  SMITH, 

N.  Y.  Circular  to  the  several  Counties,  Aug.  9,  '74. 

536.  Gentlemen  :  The  distresses  of  the  poor  of  the  town  of 
Boston,  now  sinking  under  the  hand  of  power,  call  for  our  tender 
and  compassionate  concern.  Every  motive  of  policy  and  humanity 
should  excite  us  to  contribute  liberally  to  their  immediate  redress. 
They  are  our  countrymen  and  brethren,  suffering  in  the  common 
cause  of  liberty,  and  their  hard  condition  may  one  day  be  our  own. 
We  recommend  a  generous  subscription  for  the  support  of  the  indi- 


16 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


gent  of  that  oppressed  town.  In  some  instances  it  may  be  most 
convenient  to  contribute  in  wheat  or  flour,  which  will  be  equally 
serviceable.  The  interest  of  the  whole  Continent  requires  that  pro- 
vision should  be  made  for  all  who  become  sufferers  in  our  common 
cause,  and  the  honor  and  reputation  of  this  Colony  must  animate  us 
to  distinguish  ourselves  on  so  benevolent  an  occasion. 

537.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  Correspondence 
for  the  county  of  Suffolk,  at  the  County  Hall,  Nov.  15,  J74  : 

1 .  Voted,  That  we  recommend  it  to  the  several  towns  in  this 
county  to  set  forward  a  subscription  for  the  employment  and  relief 
of  the  distressed  poor  in  the  town  of  Boston,  to  be  collected  in  such 
manner  as  the  committees  in  each  town  shall  judge  proper ;  to  be  in 
readiness  to  be  forwarded  early  next  §pring. 

2.  Voted,  That  John  Foster  have  the  care  of  procuring  a  vessel 
to  call  at  the  several  harbors  in  this  county,  to  receive  and  carry  the 
above  donations  to  Boston. 

3.  Voted,  That  we  fully  approve  of  the  proceedings  of  the  late 
Continental  Congress,  and  recommend  it  to  the  committees  of  the 
different  towns  to  see  that  the  Association  by  them  entered  into  on 
behalf  of  themselves  and  their  constituents,  be  strictly  observed. 

EZRA  L'HOMMEDIEU,  Clerk. 

538.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  Observation  for  the 
several  towns  and  districts  of  Huntington,  Smithtown,  Islip, 
and  South  Haven,  and  some  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
the  town  of  Brookhaven,  held  at  Smithtown,  Feb.  23,  '75, 
Col.  Piatt  Conklin  being  Chairman, 

2.  Resolved  nem.  con.,  That  we  think  ourselves  under  obligations 
of  gratitude  to  the  worthy  gentlemen  in  particular  who  represented 
this  County  in  the  late  Continental  Congress,  and  to  that  whole  as- 
sembly in  general,  for  their  noble,  patriotic  and  faithful  discharge  of 
their  important  trust. 

3.  Resolved  nem.  con.,  That  a  letter  be  sent  to  Wm.  Nicoll  and 
Nath'l  Woodhull,  Esqrs.,  Representatives  of  this  County,  informing 
them  that,  if  a  motion  should  be  made  in  the  house  for  appointing 
Delegates  to  represent  this  Province,  at  the  Continental  Congress, 
to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  in  May  next,  it  is  our  opinion  and  desire, 
that  they  should  join  in  their  appointment. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


17 


4.  Resolved  nem.  con.,  That  in  case  the  Assembly  do  not  appoint 
Delegates,  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the  city  of  N.  Y.,be 
desired  to  call  a  Provincial  Convention  for  that  purpose. 

N.  B. — Most  of  the  towns  and  districts  in  this  County,  have  at  pub- 
lic town  meetings,  fully  adopted  the  measures  recommended  by  the 
Congress,  and  determined  on  a  strict  observation  of  the  Association. 

539.  Nathan  Fordham,  Burnet  Miller,  and  Thos.  Youngs,  a  sub- 
committee, at  Sag  Harbor,  request  of  Congress,  (Ap.  2d,  '75,) 
ammunition  and  warlike  stores,  suitable  for  an  inclosed  list  of  cannon, 
and  that  the  cannon  may  be  mounted  on  carriages,  as  they  are  much 
exposed  to  the  ravages  of  the  Ministerial  army. 

540.  Robt.  Hempstead  was  Chairman  of  a  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittees from  the  different  towns  in  Suffolk,  at  the  County  Hall,  Ap. 
6,  '75,  who  appointed  Col.  Wm.  Floyd,  Col.  Nath'l  Woodhull,  Col. 
Phineas  Fanning,  Thomas  Tredwell,  and  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Esqrs., 
Deputies  to  the  N.York  Provincial  Convention  for  choosing  Delegates 
to  the-  Continental  Congress,  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  in  May. 

541.  To  the  Provincial  Congress,  to  be  held,  May  22d,  '75,  Col. 
Nath'l  Woodhull,  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Thomas  Tredwell,  John 
Foster,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  Thos.  Wickham,  James  Havens,  and 
Selah  Strong,  were  elected  Deputies  for  one  year.    May  5. 

54*2.  At  a  meeting  of  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants 
of  Brookhaven,  June  8,  '75 ;  By  a  large  majority  were 
chosen  16  persons,  as  a  Committee  of  Observation  to  repre- 
sent said  town  and  deliberate  on  other  matters  relative  to  our 
present  political  welfare.  Agreed  that  the  last  Tuesday  in 
June,  be  appointed  as  the  day  for  the  Committee  to  meet. 

The  Committee  met  at  Coram,  June  27  ;  Present,  John  Wood- 
hull,  Esq.,  Thos.  Helme,  Esq.,  John  Robinson,  Thos.  Fanning,  Lt. 
Wm.  Brewster,  Noah  Hallock,  Jos.  Brown,  John  Woodhull,  Jr., 
Nath'l  Roe,  Jr.,  Capt.  Jona.  Baker,  Dan'l  Roe,  Sam'l  Thompson,  of 
Manor  St.  George  ;  Wm.  Smith,  and  Jonah  Hulse,  of  Patentship  of 
Moriches  ;  Capt.  Josiah  Smith. 

Then  proceeded,  and  chose  John  Woodhull, Esq.,  Ch'n,  and  Sam'l 
Thompson,  Clerk,  and  entered  into  the  following  resolutions  : 

1.  Resolved  nem.  con.,  That  we  express  our  loyalty  to  His  Ma- 


13 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


jesty,  King  Geo.  III.,  and  acknowledge  him  as  our  rightful  lord  and 
sovereign. 

3.  Resolved  unanimously.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Commit- 
tee, that  the  several  Acts  passed  in  the  British  Parliament,  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  America  ;  also  the  Acts  for  stopping 
the  Port  of  Boston ;  for  altering  their  charter  and  government  ;  for 
establishing  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  and  abolishing  the  equita- 
ble system  of  English  laws  and  erecting  in  their  stead  French  Despo- 
tic Government  in  Canada ;  as  also  the  Act  for  restraining  the  New 
England  fishery ;  and  further  declaring  they  have  power  to  make 
laws  binding  on  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever,  are  contrary  to  the  con- 
stitution and  subversive  of  our  legal  rights  as  English  freemen  and 
British  subjects.  I 

4.  Resolved  nem.  con.,  That  we  will  use  our  utmost  endeavor 
strictly  to  adhere  to  the  Resolutions  of  the  Honorable  Continental 
Congress,  and  to  comply  with  the  injunctions  of  our  Provincial  Con- 
vention, which  (under  God)  we  hope  is  the  most  effectual  means 
to  obtain  redress  of  our  present  grievances,  and  save  us  from  im- 
pending ruin. 

5.  We  do  unanimously  make  this  our  apology  to  the  respectable 
public  and  to  our  several  Congresses,  that  we  have  come  so  late  into 
Congressional  measures,  and  hope  a  veil  may  be  cast  over  our  past 
conduct ;  for  our  remissness  was  not  for  want  of  patriotic  spirit,  but 
because  opposition  ran  so  high  in  some  parts  of  this  town,  which 
arose,  we  verily  believe,  from  want  of  better  information. 

6.  It  is  unanimously  resolved,  that  we  will  keep  a  strict  watch 
that  no  provisions  be  transported  from  the  bounds  of  our  constituents, 
so  as  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies. 

7.  Ordered,  that  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  printed  by 
John  Holt. 

543.  [The  General  Association  (see  Queens  Co.,  25,)  was  al- 
most unanimously  signed  in  Suffolk,  only  236  recusants.  The 
original  lists  may  be  seen  in  Vol.  XXX.  of  the  MS.  Papers  of  the 
N.  Y.  Provincial  Congress,  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  Office,  at  Al- 
bany, and  are  reprinted  in  Force's  American  Archives,  III.,  608. 
— Ed.] 

544.  May  12,  '75.  Israel  Youngs  of  Cold  Spring  brought  in  his 
sloop  from  N.  Y.  Henry  Dawkins  an  engraver,  whom  he  employed 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


19 


9  weeks  in  the  garret  of  his  house  counterfeiting  bills  of  credit 
Isaac  Ketcham  went  to  Philadelphia  for  the  paper  used.  They  were 
arrested  by  aid  of  Thos.  Wicks,  taken  before  the  Huntington  Com- 
mittee at  Nath'l  Williams'  Tavern,  and  thence  to  N.  Y.  where  they 
were  confined  till  July  18,  when  Dawkins  was  sent  to  Westchester 
jail ;  and  Israel  and  Isaac  Youngs  to.Litchfield,  where  they  lived  at 
their  own  expense  till  Nov.  25,  '76,  when  they  went  off  leaving 
£68  10  with  the  jailer.  Ketcham  was  probably  discharged  Aug.  17. 
Jour.  445,  718,  577.    Cor.  464.    (See  also  53.) 

June  3,  '75.  Philip  Youngs  was  taken  to  N.  Y.  by  Thos. 
Wicks  and  Elipb.  Brush,  charged  by  Jacob  Brush  and  Sam'l  Brown 
with  counterfeiting.  The  houses  of  George  and  Isaac  Youngs  and 
John  Williams  were  searched,  but  nothing  found.  [Philip  was  ac- 
quited,  June  17. — Ed.  Jour.  471,  714. 

545.  Col.  Phineas  Fanning,  David  Mulford,  Esq.,  Capt  Tim. 
Earle,  were  appointed  muster  masters  of  the  troops  to  be  raised  in 
Suffolk,  July  8,  '75. 

546.  June  29,  '75,  Suffolk  Co.  Warrants. 

1.  John  Hulbert,  Capt.  ;  John  Davis,  1st  Lt. ;  Wm.  Havens, 
2d  Lt. 

2.  John  Grennel,  Capt. ;  Wm.  Philips,  1st  Lt. ;  Philip  Conklin, 
2dLt 

3.  Dan'l  Griffen,  Capt;  Benj.  Marvin,  1st  Lt. ;  Nath'l  Norton, 
2d  Lt. 

Capt.  John  Grenell,  of  Huntington,  July  14,  '75. 
Sam'l  Smith,  1st  Lt. ;  Alex.  Ketcham,  2d  Lt.;  in  place  of 
Wm.  Philips  and  Philip  Conklin  declined. 

547.  Whilst  the  British  were  at  Boston,  their  vessels  occasionally 
carried  off  stock  from  Suffolk  Co . 

July  5,  '75.  The  people  of  E.  and  S.  Hampton  pray  Congress,  that 
Capt.  Hulbert's  company,  now  raising  for  Schuyler's  army,  may  remain 
to  guard  the  stock  on  the  common  land  of  Montauk,  (2000  cattle  and  3 
or  4000  sheep)  from  the  ravages  of  the  enemy.  Jour.  75. 

July  31,  '75.  Congress  allow  Griffing  and  Hulbert's  companies  to 
remain  to  guard  stock.  Jour.  95. 

Aug.  7,  '75.  13  sail  of  British  shipping  are  seen  off  Oyster  Ponds, 
looking  for  stock,  as  is  supposed.  Lt.  Norton's  company  have  no  pow- 
der. Cor.  69. 

# 


20  REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 

Aug.  7,  '75.  Congress  order  Wooster  to  send  from  his  camp  at  Har- 
lem, four  companies  (to  be  under  command  of  Col.  Phineas  Fanning,) 
to  guard  stock  on  the  east  end  of  L.  I.  Congress  also  vote  200  lbs. 
powder  to  the  order  of  Ezra  L'Hommedieu  and  John  Foster. 

Jour.  102, 103. 

Aug.  18,  '75.  Congress  recommend  the  removal  of  stock  from 
Gardiners  and  Plum  I.  Jour.  110. 

Aug.  21,  '75.  Congress  hear  that  36  cattle  and  1100  sheep  are 
taken  from  Fishers  I.,  and  40  or  50  cattle  and  1800  or  2000  sheep  from 
Gardiner's  I.,  by  Col.  Abijah  Willard.  Jour.  112, 119. 

Aug.  22,  '75.  Col.  Gardiner  of  Plum  I.,  says  Col.  Willard  threatens 
to  come  again  with  force  sufficient  to  take  off  stock  from  L.  I. 

Cor.  65. 

Sep.  7,  '75.  Capt.  John  Huloert  marched  from  Montauk,  but  his 
men  have  borrowed  guns.  Cor.  80. 

Sep.  14,  '75.  Ebenezer  Piatt  received  of  Congress  100  lbs.  of  pow- 
der.     v  Jour.  146. 

548.  Thos\  Helme,  Chairman  pro  tern.,  writes  to  Congress,  Aug. 
3,  '75,  that  Parson  James  Lyon,  [put  under  guard  in  Wooster's 
Camp,  Aug.  11,]  Benj.  Floyd,  Dr.  Gilbert  Smith,  Joseph  Denton, 
Richard  Floyd,  and  John  Baleys,  innkeeper,  have  from  the  beginning 
taken  every  method  to  seduce  the  ignorant  and  counteract  the  mea- 
sures recommended  for  redress  of  grievances.    They  d  n  all 

Congresses  and  Committees,  wishing  they  were  in  h — 1.  They  have 
declared  they  will  furnish  the  men-of-war  and  cutters  with  provi- 
sions. 

Aug.  21,  '75.    List  of  Field  Officers  of  2d  Bat. 

549.  David  Mulford,  1st  Col.  ;  Jonas  Hedges,  2d  Col. ;  Uriah 
Rogers,  1  st  Major ;  Geo.  Herrick,  2d  Major ;  John  Gelston,  Adj. ; 
Phineas  Howell,  Q.  M. 

Company  Officers. 

1.  Capt.  David  Howell;  1st  Lt.  Jer'h  Post;  2dLt.  Paul  Jones  ; 
En.  Zeph.  Rogers. 

2.  Capt.  John  Dayton,  jr. ;  1st  Lt.  Isaac  Mulford  Hunting ;  2d  Lt. 
John  Miller,  jr.  ;  En.  Win.  Hedges,  jr. 

3.  Capt.  David  Pierson ;  1st  Lt.  Dan'l  Hedges;  2d  Lt.  David 
Sayre ;  En.  Theoph's  Pierson. 

4.  Capt.  David  Fithian;  1st  Lt.  Sam'l  Conklin ;  2d  Lt.  Thos. 
Baker  ;  En.  Dan'l  Conklin. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


21 


5.  Capt.  St.  Howell;  1st  Lt.  John  White,  jr.;  2d  Lt.  Lemuel 
Wick ;  En.  Isaac  Halsey. 

6.  Capt.  Wm.  Rogers,  jr. ;  1st  Lt.  Jesse  Halsey ;  2d  Lt.  Henry 
Halsey  ;  En.  Nath'l  Rogers. 

7.  Capt.  Josiah  Howell,  jr. ;  1st  Lt.  Nath'l  Howell ;  2d  Lt.  Mat. 
Howell;  En.  Wm.  Stephens. 

8.  Capt.  Sam'l  L' Hommedieu  ;  1st  Lt.  Silas  Jessup;  2dLt.  Ed- 
ward Conklin;  En.  Dan'l  Fordham. 

9.  Capt.  John  Sandford  ;  1st  Lt.  Edward  Topping;  2d  Lt.  Philip 
Howell ;  En.  John  Hildreth. 

550.  At  Smithtown,  Sept.  4,  '75,  Philetus  Smith  was  chosen 
Capt. ;  Edmund  Smith,  jr.  1st  Lt. ;  Dan'l  Tillotson,  2d  Lt.;  and  Richard 
Smith,  En.,  under  the  inspection  of  Dan'l  Smith,  Jacob  Mills  and 
Thos.  Tredwell,  Committee-men. 

551.  Sep.  4,  '75.  Matthew  Rose  was  chosen  Capt. ;  Hugh 
Smith,  1st  Lt. ;  David  Fanning,  2d  Lt. ;  and  John  Smith,  Ensign,  of 
the  3d  Company  of  1st  Reg.  of  Suffolk,  at  Southhold,  in  presence  of 
Tho's  Fanning  and  Wm.  Smith,  Committee-men. 

Sep.  6,  '75.  Sam'l  Thompson  was  chosen  Capt.,  Abm.  Wood- 
hull,  1st.  Lt. ;  Isaac  Davis,  2d  Lt.  ;  and  Dan'l  Satterly,  Ensign,  of  1st 
Company  of  Brookhaven,  in  presence  of  Nath'l  Roe,  jr.,  Rich'd 
Woodhull,  and  Sam'l  Thompson,  Committee-men. 

552.  At  a  meeting  at  Smithtown,  Sept.  5,  '"75,  for  nomina- 
ting Field  Officers  for  the  Western  Reg.  of  Suffolk,  present, 

From  Huntington,  John  SlossHobart,  Esq.,  Tho's  Wickes,  Esq., 
Dr.  Gilbert  Potter,  Capt.  Timothy  Carll,  Henry  Scudder,  Stephen 
Ketcham,Tho's  Brush  jr.,  John  Squier,  Eben'r  Piatt.  From  Smithtown, 
Tho's  Tredwell,  Esq.,  Jeffery  Smith,  Jacob  Mills,  Jonas  Mills,  Sam'l 
Phillips,  Philetus  Smith,  Edmund  Smith,  Dan'l  Smith.  From  Brook- 
haven,  df-c,  Wm.  Smith,  Tho's  Fanning,  Noah  Hallock,  Wm  Brews- 
ter, Jona.  Baker,  John  Woodhull.  Jos.  Brown,  Sam'l  Thompson, 
Dan'l  Roe,  Nath'l  Roe.  Wm.  Floyd  was  nominated  Col. ;  Dr.  Gil- 
bert Potter,  Lt.  Col. ;  Capt.  Nathan  Woodhull,  1st  Major;  Edmund 
Smith,  2d  Major ;  Philip  Roe,  Adj. ;  John  Roe,  jr.,  Q.  M. ;  Col.  Nath'l 
Woodhull,  Brig.  Gen. 

553.  Sep.  5,  '75.  Eben'r  Miller  was  chosen  Capt. ;  Caleb  Wood- 
hull,  1st  Lt. ;  Jas.  Davis,  2d  Lt. ;  and  David  Davis,  Ensign,  of  2d  Com- 
2* 


2'Z 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


pany  in  Brookhaven,  in  presence  of  Tho's  Helme,  John  "VVoodhull 
and  Noah  Hallock,  Committee-men. 

554.  Committee  Chamber,  Huntington,  Sept.  11,  '75. 
Officers  of  the  1st  three  Militia  Companies. 

1'.  John  Wickes,Capt.;  Epenetus  Conklin,  1st  Lt;  Jonah  Wood,2d 
Lt. ;  Ebenezer  Prime  Wood,  Ensign. 

2.  Jesse  Brush,Capt. ;  Epenetus  Conklin,  1st  Lt. ;  Philip  Conklin, 
2d  Lt. ;  Jos.  Titus,  Ensign. 

3.  Timothy  Carll,  Capt. ;  Gilbert  Fleet,  1st  Lt. ;  Joel  Scudder, 
2dLt. ;  Nath'l  Buffet,  jr.,  Ensign. 

4.  The  South  part  not  yet  elected  officers. 

555.  At  a  meeting  of  the  several  committees  in  the  1st 
Eeg.  of  Suffolk  Co.  held  at  Smithtown,  Oct.  24,  '75  Wm. 
Smith  was  appointed  Chairman  ;  present, 

Jesse  Brush,  Esq.,  John  Squires,StephenKetcham,Tho's  Wickes, 
Esq.,  Timothy  Ketcham,  Henry  Scudder,  Dr.  Gilbert  Potter,  Tho's 
Brush,  jr.,  Israel  Wood,  Stephen  Kelsey,  Ebenezer  Piatt,  of  Hunting- 
ton. Dan'l  Tillotson,  Tho's  Tredwell,  Esq.,  Jeffery  Smith,  Philetus 
Smith,  Dan'l  Smith,  Capt.  Job  Smith,  Jacob  Mills,  Edmund  Smith,  jr, 
Epenetus  Smith,  Sam'l  Philips,  of  Smithtown.  Wm.  Smith,  Jonah 
Hulse,  of  Manor  St.  George.  Capt.  Josiah  Smith,  of  Moriches. 
Capt.  Sam'l  Thompson,  Wm.  Brewster,  John  Woodhull,  Dan'l  Roe, 
Nath'l  Roe,  Noah  Hallock,  Capt.  Jona.  Baker,  Richard  Woodhull, 
Esq.,  of  Brookhaven. 

Jeffery  Smith  was  nominated  1st  Major  in  place  of  Nathan  Wood- 
hull  declined ;  and  Capt.  Jesse  Brush  2d  Major  in  place  of  Edmund 
Smith,  jr.,  declined. 

556.  Nov.  7,  '75.  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Tho's  Tredwell,  Selah 
Strong,  Nath'l  Woodhull,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  David  Gelston,  Tho's 
Wickham,  and  Dan'l  Brown,  Esqrs.,  were  elected  Deputies  to  Pro- 
vincial Congress. 

557.  Nov.  27,  '75.  Lt.  Case  took  his  commission  [as  Capt.]  • 
Tho's  Hempstead,  1st  Lt.;  Wm.  Horton,  jr.,  2d  Lt. ;  John  Drake,  En- 
sign. 

558.  Huntington,  Dec.  10,  '75. 
Sir  :  You  will  receive  this  by  Major  Brush,  who  is  appointed  by 

the  Committee  to  lay  before  the  Congress,  the  state  of  the  town  as 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


23 


to  their  slackness  in  military  preparations,  as  also  that  we  have  great 
reason  to  believe  all  methods  are  used  by  our  neighbors  to  make  them 
indifferent  in  this  great  contest.  We  not  only  beg  your  advice  but 
assistance,  for  it  is  my  opinion,  if  there  is  not  a  sufficient  number  of 
men  immediately  sent  to  effectually  subdue  Queens  Co.  and  to  intimi- 
date the  people  among  us,  a  great  many  from  here  will  soon  be  in  a  little 
better  condition  than  the  rebels  of  Queens  Co,,  which  we  have  great 
reason  to  believe  is  making  interest  with  our  slaves  and  other  ser- 
vants. I  have  exerted  myself  in  my  station,  but  if  nothing  is  done 
by  your  House,  I  must  be  obliged  to  desist :  but  as  to  myself  as  an 
individual,  I  am  determined  to  live  and  die  free. 
I  am  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

GILBERT  POTTER. 
To  John  S.  Hobart  Esq.  in  Pro.  Congress. 

559.  Commissions  issued  Dec.  12,  '75.  2d  Comp.  Jona.  Ti- 
tus, Capt. ;  Joshua  Rogers,  1st  Lt. ;  Tho's  Brush,  2d  Lt.  3d  Comp, 
Joel  Scudder,  Capt. ;  Nath'l  Buffit,  1st  Lt. ;  Epenetus  Smith,  2d  Lt. ; 
John  Hart,  Ensign. 

560.  Manor  St.  George,  Dec.  15,  '75. 
Gentlemen  :  There  have  enlisted  as  minute  men  70  able-bodied 

men,  within  the  bounds  of  Brook  Haven,  Smithtown,  Manor  St. 
George  and  the  Patentship  of  Moriches,  who  have  chosen  Dan'l 
Roe,  Capt.;  Hugh  Smith,  IstLt.;  Caleb  Brewster,  2dLt.;  Eben'r  Phil- 
ips, Ensign.  And  as  Hugh  Smith  and  David  Fanning,  1st  and  2d 
Lts.  of  the  3d  Company  in  Brookhaven,  (whereof  Nath'l  Roe  is 
Capt.)  have  enlisted  in  the  minute  service,  the  company  have  chosen 
John  Smith,  1st  Lt. ;  Wm.  Baker,  2d,  Lt. ;  Doxey  Lane,  Ensign. 

The  choice  of  the  above  was  made  in  presence  of  us,  who  are  of 
the  committee.  The  minute  men  (who  are  much  needed  to  still  in- 
testine disaffection)  want  powder,  ball,  guns,  drum,  colors  &c,  which 
are  not  to  be  had  here  ;  and  if  to  be  bought,  a  great  part  of  the  com- 
pany not  able  to  purchase. 

Your  humble  servants, 

WM.  SMITH. 
JOSIAH  SMITH. 

To  Pro.  Congress. 


24 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


561.  Jan.  5,  '76.  Congress  send  1000  lbs.  powder  to  Hunting- 
ton Committee. 

562.  Jan.  12,  '76.  Gilbert  Potter  certifies  that  St.  Kelsey  and 
Eben'r  Piatt,  Committee-men,  had  inspected  the  election  of  officers  at 
Cow  Harbor,  5th  comp.  of  Huntington,  viz.  Piatt  Veal,  Capt. ; 
Michael  Heart,  1st  Lt. ;  Isaac  Dennis,  2d  Lt. ;  Jacob  Conklin,  En. 

Thos.  Wickes  and  Jesse  Brush  certify  the  election  of  John 
Buffet,  Capt. ;  Isaac  Thompson,  1st  Lt. ;  Zeb.  Ketcham,  En.  of  the 
4th  Comp. 

Suffolk  Co.,  Jan.  24,  '76. 

563.  Gentlemen  : — In  pursuance  to  your  order,  we  have  ap- 
pointed the  Field-officers  for  the  minute  men  and  artillery  company  in 
this  county.  The  militia  of  this  county  but  little  exceeds  2000. 
The  great  exposedness  of  the  east  end,  and  the  extensiveness  of  the 
county,  induces  us  to  desire  a  no.  of  Continental  troops  may  be  sta- 
tioned here.  We  make  no  doubt  the  Continent  proposes  to  protect 
this  Island,  and  hope  a  sufficient  force  may  be  stationed  here. 

We  have  a  no.  of  poor  men  who  are  good  soldiers  and  friends  to 
the  cause,  and  would  be  glad  to  enlist  as  minute  men,  but  have  no 
guns.  We  should  be  glad  to  know  if  some  could  be  procured  at 
the  public  expense. 

The  situation  of  this  county  makes  it  difficult  to  raise  and  train 
the  minute  men.  They  complain  that  they  are  not  sufficiently  paid, 
considering  the  great  distance  they  are  obliged  to  travel ;  many,  8, 
10,  and  12  miles,  and  that  on  foot,  to  exercise.  The  officers  also, 
on  the  same  account,  are  at  considerable  expense,  besides  the  ex- 
pense of  raising  their  companies,  and  pray  they  may  be  considered. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

WM.  SMITH,  Chairman. 

564.  Officers  of  Minute  Men. 

Feb.  20,  '76. 

Josiah  Smith,  Col. ;  John  Hulbert,  2d  Col. ;  Isaac  Reeve,  1st 
Major;  Jona.  Baker,  2d  Major  ;  Ephraim  Marvin,  Adj.,  (in  place  of 
Isaac  Overton,  declined,)  Eben.  Dayton,  Q,.  M. 

Officers  of  the  Artillery. 
Wm.  Rogers,  Captain  ;  John  Franks,  Capt.  Lt. ;  Jerem'h  Rogers, 
1st  Lt. ;  Thos.  Baker,  2d  Lt. ;  John  Tuthill,  Lt.  fireworker. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


25 


565.  Isaac  Thompson,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Islip, 
writes  to  Congress,  Feb.  9,  '76,  that  there  never  has  been  a  militia 
company  in  that  precinct,  but  that  the  east  part  bore  arms  in  the 
Smithtown  company,  and  the  west  were  under  a  Huntington  Captain, 
which  has  caused  uneasiness.  The  people,  with  the  consent  of  Col. 
Potter,  assembled  and  chose  Benajah  Strong,  Captain ;  Jerem'h  Ter- 
ry, 1st  Lt. ;  Sam'l  Oakley,  2d  Lt. ;  and  Annen  Mowbray,  En.,  who 
signed  the  association.    The  company  numbers  36  or  37. 

566.  Thos.  Cooper  and  S.  Halsey,  Committee-men,  certify  the 
election  of  Zeph.  Rogers,  Capt. ;  Nath'l  Howel,  jr.,  1st  Lt. ;  and 
Mat.  Sayer,  2d  Lt.,  of  a  company  of  minute  men  in  South  Hampton, 
before  Feb.  23,  '76. 

Maltby  Gelston  certifies  the  election  of  David  Pierson,  Capt. ; 
John  Foster,  jr.,  1st  Lt. ;  Abm.  Rose,  2d  Lt. ;  and  Edward  Topping, 
En.,  of  another  company  of  minute  men  in  South  Hampton. 

Ezekiel  Mutford,  Capt.;  John  Miller,  1st  Lt. ;  and  Nath'l  Hand, 
2d  Lt.,  of  a  company  of  minute  men  at  East  Hampton. 

567.  Wm.  Smith,  Chairman,  requests  of  Congress,  March  1,  '76, 
the  loan  of  £500,  to  be  lodged  with  the  Treasurer,  Col.  Josiah 
Smith,  who  is  to  pay  out  the  same. 

568.  Mar.  4,  '76.  John  Chatfield  of  E.  Hampton,  and  Thos. 
Cooper  of  S.  Hampton,  are  directed  to  station  persons  to  keep  look- 
out for  the  British  fleet. 

569.  Mar.  27,  '76.  Nath'l  Roe  and  Sam'l  Thompson,  certify 
the  election  of  Selah  Strong,  Capt. ;  Wm.  Clark,  1st  Lt. ;  Caleb 
Brewster,  2d  Lt. ;  and  Nath'l  Brewster,  En.,  of  a  minute  company  in 
Brookhaven. 

570.  Ap.  7,  76.  Nath'l  Piatt,  Capt.  ;  Sam'l  Smith,  1st.  Lt. ; 
Henry  Skudder,  2d  Lt. ;  and  Henry  Blatsley,  En. 

571.  Account  of  Capt.  Jeremiah  Rogers,  £22  18  6,  for  keeping 
look-out  at  South  Hampton,  March  '76,  when  British  fleet  was  ex- 
pected, certified  by  Henry  Herrick,  member  of  the  Committee,  was 
exhibited  for  payment,  Jan.  28,  '77.  Jour.  791. 

572.  Ap.  18,  '76.  Nath'l  Woodhull,  Thos.  Tredwell,  Selah 
Strong,  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Thos.  Wickham,  David  Gelston,  Dan'l 
Brown,  and  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  were  elected  to  represent  Suffolk 


26 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


Co.  in  Provincial  Congress,  as  appears  by  the  certificate  of  Wm, 
Smith,  Chairman,  and  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  Clk.  of  the  Committee. 

573.  Capt.  John  Davis  had  enlisted  70  men  ;  and  Benj.  Marvin, 
1st  Lt.  of  Capt  Griffin's  company,  75  men,  before  Ap.  3,  '76. 

574.  In  consideration  of  the  defenceless  state  of  E.  part  of  Suf- 
folk Co.,  the  3  companies  raised  for  continental  service,  were  con- 
tinued there.    Ap.  3,  76. 

575.  May  3,  '76.  Officers  of  two  companies  of  minute  men  in 
Southold,  Col.  Smith's  Reg. 

1.  Jona.  Bayley,  Capt. ;  Joshua  Youngs,  1st  Lt. ;  John  Tuthill, 
2d  Lt. ;  James  Reeve,  En. 

2.  Paul  Reeve,  Capt. ;  John  Corwin,  1st  Lt. ;  David  Horton,  2d 
Lt. ;  Nath'l  Hudson,  En. 

576.  May  9,  '76.    2d  N.  Y.  Reg. 

1.  Dan'l  Roe,  Capt. ;  Jona.  Titus,  1st  Lt. ;  Geo.  Smith,  2d  Lt. ; 
Benj.  Titus,  En. 

2.  Daniel  GrifFen,  Capt. ;  Benjamin  Marvin,  1st  Lt. ;  Nath'l  Nor- 
ton, 2d  Lt. ;  Jacob  Conklin,  En. 

3.  John  Davis,  Capt.;  Wm.  Haven,  1st  Lt. ;  Edward  Conklin, 
2d  Lt. ;  Silvanus  Conklin,  En. 


577.     Return  of  Col.  Smith's  Regiment,  May  30,  '76. 


Captains. 

n 

|  Ensig's.  | 

|  Serg's.  | 

|  Corp's.  | 

Drum's.  1 

|  Fifers.  | 

Privates 

Remarks. 

David  Pierson, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

42 

Complete  in  arms. 

Ezekiel  Mulford, 

2 

3 

3 

1 

1 

40 

do.  do. 

Zeph.  Rogers, 

2 

3 

3 

1 

1 

33 

do.  do. 

Paul  Reeve, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

I 

35 

do.  except  bayonets. 

Jona.  Bailey, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

27 

do.  except  bayonets. 

Selah  Strong, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

57 

want  15  guns  and  bayonets. 

Nath'l  Piatt, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

42 

complete. 

Thos.  Wicks, 

2 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

31 

complete,  except  one  man. 

Total. 

16 

6 

24 

24 

S 

8 

307 

Drums,  fifes,  colors,  all  deficient. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


27 


Staff  of  Minute  Regiment. 
Josiah  Smith,  Col.;  John  Hulbert,  Lt.  Col. ;  Isaac  Reeve,  Maj. ;  Isaac 
Overton,  2d  Maj. ;  Eph'm  Marvin,  Adj. ;  Eben.  Dayton,  Q.  M. 

578.  Wm.  Smith  writes  to  Congress  from  Manor  St.  George, 
May  25,  '76,  that  there  is  a  communication  from  Winthrop's  Patent} 
and  the  Ships  of  War  at  the  Hook  ;  that  one  Gyer,  a  skipper,  had 
carried  off  a  no.  of  disaffected  persons,  mostly  from  Conn.,  who  had 
been  skulking  in  the  woods,  particularly  one  Fountain,  a  gunsmith. 
It  is  suspected  the  British  also  get  water,  clams,  and  oysters.  15 
minute  men  have  been  stationed  there  since  last  Monday,  but  as  they 
are  farmers,  they  cannot  leave  home  without  ruining  their  familes  ; 
the  matter  is  referred  to  Congress. 

579.  Lt.  John  Holliday  sends  to  Gen.  Greene,  from  Far  Rocka- 
way,  May  29,  '76,,  Nathan  and  Lazarus  Gyer,  of  Blue  Point,  and 
Benj.  Scribner,  taken  in  a  clam  boat  near  against  Silas  Carman's 
Landing,  O.  Bay.  Gyer  set  7  men  ashore  at  Fort  Neck  Point,  who 
were  seen  by  Gilbert  Jones,  of  the  O.  Bay  Committee,  with  a  pros- 
pect-glass. They  were  examined,  May  26,  before  Joshua  Ketcham 
and  B.  Birdsall. 

580.  June  8,  '76.  Jona.  Baker  and  Steph.  Fountain,  convicted 
by  the  joint  committees  of  Brookhaven,  Manor  St.  George,  and  Pa- 
tentship  of  Moriches,  of  taking  up  arms  and  corresponding  with  the 
British  ships,  and  promoting  discord  among  the  inhabitants  and  se- 
ducing many  to  forsake  the  cause  of  their  country,  were  brought  to 
Congress  by  Lt.  Wm.  Clarke,  and  committed  to  safe  custody. 

Jour.  484. 

July  18.  Nathan  and  Lazarus  Gyre  and  Jona.  Baker  were  sent  to 
Litchfield  jail.  Jour.  530. 

581.  Quota  of  Suffolk,  200;  of  Queens,  175;  of  Kings,  58  men, 
to  reinforce  the  Continental  army  at  N.  Y.    June  7,  '76. 

582.  The  guard-boats  Montgomerie  and  Schuyler  lay  at  Fire  L 
Inlet,  June  19,  '76. 

583.  June  27,  '76.  Gen.  Nath.  Woodhull,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu, 
John  Sloss  Hobart,  Burnet  Miller,  Thos.  Dcaring,  David  Gelston, 
Wm.  Smith,  and  Thos.  Tredwell,  Esqs.,  elected  to  the  4th  Pro.  Con- 


28 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


gress,  with  powers  to  establish  a  new  form  of  government,  as  appears 
by  a  certificate  of  the  committee,  signed  by  Wm.  Smith,  Chairman. 

Jour.  515. 

584.  June  29,  '76.    Officers  of  2d  Comp.,  3d  Bat.,  Militia. 
Edmund   Howell,    1st  Lt.  ;    Selah    Reeves,   2d  Lt.  ;  Jas 
Wells,  En. 

585.  List  of  Officers  of  Col.  Smith's  Reg. 

Col.  Josiah  Smith ;  Lt.  Col.  John  Sands  ;  Maj.  Abm.  Remsen  ; 
Chaplain,  ;  Adj't  Thos.  Waterman  ;  Q.  Master  Increase  Carpen- 
ter ;  Sergeant  Maj.  John  Stratton ;  Q.  Master  Serg.  Maj.  Jas.  Hollid ; 
Surgeon,  ;  Surgeon's  Mate,  . 

1st  Company.  Capt.  Zeph'h  Rogers  ;  1st  Lt.  Edward  Tapping  ;  2d 
Lt.  Paul  Jones ;  Serg'ts  Hugh  Gelston,  Tim.  Halsey,  David  Lupton  ; 
Corp's  Jehiel  Howell,  Elias  Pierson,  Jona.  Cook. 

2d  Comp.  Capt.  Nath'l  Piatt  ;*  1st  Lt.  Sam'l  Smith ;  2d  Lt.  Henry 
Skudder  ;  Serg'ts  John  Stratton,  John  Carll,  Jesse  Bunce  ;  Corp's  Jas. 
Hubbs,  Jed'h  Mills,  John  Hart. 

3d  Comp.  Capt.  Benj.  Coe  ;  1st  Lt.  Robt.  Furman  ;  2d  Lt.  ; 

Serg'ts  Wra.  Penfold,  Nathan  Furman,  Gabriel  Leveridge  ;  Corp's  Ga- 
briel Smith,  Thos.  Gillinworth,  John  Furman.  (See  Q.  Co.  p.  93.) 

4tk  Comp.  Capt.  Peter  Nostrand  ;  1st  Lt.  Thos.  Williams,  (See  Q. 
Co.,  p.  85) ;  2d  Lt.  John  Carman  ;  Serg'ts  Benj.  Cornell,  Martin  Ryer- 
son,  Abm.  Probasco  ;  Corp'l  Rem.  Hardenbergh. 

5th  Comp.  Capt.  Thos.  Wicks  ;  1st  Lt.  Brush  ;  2d  Lt.  Whitman  ; 
Serg'ts  Ketcham,  Vail,  Sammis  ;  Corp's  Rusco,  Conklin,  Kelsey. 

6th  Comp.  Capt.  R.  Manee  ;  1st  Lt.  Jotham  Townsend  ;  2d  Lt. 
Richard  Townsend  ;  Serg'ts  Wm.  Roe,  Sam'l  Burr,  Hicks  ;  Corp's 
Mitchell,  Jackson.  (See  Queens  Co.,  p.  94.) 

7th  Comp.  Capt.  Selah  Strong ;  1st  Lt."  Caleb  Brewster  ;t  2d  Lt. 
[Nath'l  ?]  Brewster  ;  Serg'ts  Woodhull,  Smith,  Woodhull ;  Corp's  Haw- 
kins, Marvin,  Lyons. 

8th  Comp.  Capt.  Youngs  ;  1st  Lt.  John  Robert ;  2d  Lt.  Isaac  Hicks ; 
Serg'ts  Beasley,  King,  Conn  ;  Corp's  Racket,  Lawey  [or  Lowere],  Smith. 
(See  Q.  Co.,  p.  98.) 

9th  Comp.  Capt.  [Paul]  Reeve  ;  1st  Lt.  Curen  [Corwin  ?]  ;  2d  Lt. 
Benjamin ;  Serg'ts  Wheelock  Roe,  Rich'd  Hubbard,  Nath'l  Conklin  ; 
Corp's  Solomon,  Havens,  Wells. 

10th  Comp.  Capt.  Wm.  Ludlam  ;  1st  Lt.  Increase  Carpenter;  2d 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


29 


Lt.  Ephraim  Marston;  Serg'ts  Thurston,  Higbie ;  Corp's  Oba.  Smith, 
Noah  Smith.  (See  Q.  Co.,  p.  97.) 
11th  Comp.  Capt  B.  Birdsall. 

12th  Comp.  Capt.  Ezekiel  Mulford  ;  1st  Lt.  Sayre  ;  2d  Lt.  [Nath'l] 
Hand  ;  Serg'ts  M.  Mulford,'Pierson,  Domini ;  Corp's  Henry  Sherrel, 
Benj.  Crook,  Ludlam  Parsons.t 

*  Capt.  Nath'l  Piatt,  of  Col.  Smith's  Reg't  of  militia  drafts  raised  on 
L.  I.,  rec'd,  March  8, '77,  of  Congress  £8,  for  the  last  half  bounty  paid 
Nath'l  Smith,  Matthew  Beal,  and  Thomas  Peters,  privates.  Also  £141, 
17,  6,  in  full  of  a  Pay  and  Subsistence  Roll  of  part  of  his  company  that 
joined  Col.  H.  B.  Livingston's  Reg.  Jour.  828. 

t /arc.  16,  '77.  A  Pay  Roll  for  £70, 18,  9,  of  Caleb  Brewster,  Lt. 
and  Cor.  Clark,  Zophar  Hawkins,  and  Jacob  Jones,  privates  in  Capt. 
Selah  Strong's  Company,  in  Col.  Smith's  Reg.,  who  joined  Col.  Livings- 
ton's Reg.,  from  July  20  to  Dec.  29,  was  paid  by  Congress. 

Jour.  774. 

t  Capt.  Hulbert's  account  current  : 

Dr.  Pay  Roll,  Aug.  31,  1776,     £332.  17.  8. 

Amount  of  billeting,  137.  15.  2\. 

Acc't  of  supplies,  12.  12.  11. 


£483.    5.  94. 

($72  for  enlisting  men,  (£28.  16.), 
officers'  wages  and  billeting  ) 

Cr.  cash  rec'd  of  Thomas  Wickham,  Esq.,       140.  00.  0. 

Balance  due,       343.    5.  9^. 


£482.    5.  94- 

586.  Smith  Town,  Aug.  12,  '76. 

Sir  : — I  here  send  you  inclosed,  the  Resolution"of  the  Convention 
and  a  Letter  from  the  President ;  likewise  a  Letter  from  Gen.  Greene. 
I  desire  that  you  would  with  all  speed  embody  all  the  new  raised  Levies 
under  our  command,  at  the  most  convenient  place  that  you  think  proper 
in  your  county,  on  the  way  to  Gen.  Greene's  encampment.  Sir,  the 
companies  in  Suffolk  County  are  now  on  their  march,  and  I  expect  to 
meet  you  at  Increase  Carpenter's  to-morrow,  some  time  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  day. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  humble  sen-ant, 

JOSIAH  SMITH,  Col. 

To  Col.  John  Sands  at  Cow  Neck. 


30 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York, 
at  Harlem,  Aug.  8,  1776,  Resolved,  That  Col.  Josiah  Smith  immedi- 
ately march  all  his  new  Levies  to  the  western  part  of  Nassau  Island, 
and  within  2  miles  of  Brig.  Gen.  Greene's  encampment ;  and  that 
he  obey  such  orders  as  he  may  receive  from  time  to  time  from 
Gen.  Greene. 

Harlem,  Aug.  8,  '76. 
Sir  : — You  will  see  by  the  inclosed  resolution  that  you  are  ordered  to 
march  the  whole  force  under  your  command  within  2  miles  of  the  army 
at  the  west  end  of  L.  I.,  commanded  by  Gen.  Greene.  It  is  expected 
by  this  Convention,  that  you  order  Kings  and  Queens  Counties  first,  as 
they  are  near,  and  Suffolk  to  follow  as  soon  as  possible.  These  direc- 
'  tions,  with  the  inclosed,  I  am  directed  to  send  you  with  dispatch,  not 
doubting  you  will  execute  them  with  the  utmost  diligence. 

From  your  friend  and  very  humble  servant. 

NATH'L  WOODHULL,  Pres't. 

Col.  Josiah  Smith. 

N.  B.  If  this  letter  finds  you  in  Queens  County  or  Kings,  you 
must  dispatch  your  orders  to  your  officers  by  express,  and  Congress  will 
pay  the  cost. 

[See  Greene's  Letter,  Sec.  93,  Queens  Co. — Ed. 

587.  Huntington,  July  23,  '76. 

Yesterday  the  Freedom  and  Independence  of  the  Thirteen  Uni- 
ted Colonies  was,  with  beat  of  drum,  proclaimed  at  the  several  places 
of  parade,  by  reading  the  Declaration  of  the  General  Congress,  to- 
gether with  the  Resolutions  of  our  Provincial  Convention  thereupon ; 
which  were  approved  and  applauded  by  the  animated  shouts  of  the 
people  who  were  present  from  all  the  distant  quarters  of  this  district. 
After  which  the  flag  which  used  to  wave  on  Liberty-pole,  having  Lib- 
erty on  one  side,  and  George  III.  on  the  other,  underwent  a  reform, 
i.  e.  the  Union  was  cut  off,  and  the  letters  George  III.  were  discarded, 
being  publicly  ripped  off ;  and  then  an  effigy  of  the  Personage,  repre- 
sented by  those  letters,  being  hastily  fabricated  out  of  base  materi- 
als, with  its  face  black  like  Dunmore's  Virginia  [negro]  regiment, 
its  head  adorned  with  a  wooden  crown,  and  its  head  stuck  full  of 
feathers,  like  Carleton  and  Johnson's  Savages,  and  its  body  wrapped 
in  the  Union,  instead  of  a  blanket  or  robe  of  state,  and  lined  with 
gun-powder,  which  the  original  seems  to  be  fond  of.  The  whole,  to- 
gether with  the  letters  above  mentioned.was  hung  on  a  gallows,  ex- 
ploded and  burnt  to  ashes.    In  the  evening  the  Committee  of  this 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


31 


town,  with  a  large  number  of  the  principal  inhabitants  sat  around 
the  genial  board,  and  drank  13  patriotic  toasts,  among  which  were, 
The  free  and  independent  States  of  America;  The  General  Con- 
gress; The  Convention  of  the  13  States;  Our  principal  military- 
Commanders,  and  success  and  enlargement  to  the  American  Navy. 
Nor  was  the  memory  of  our  late  brave  heroes,  who  have  gloriously 
lost  their  lives  in  the  cause  of  Liberty  and  their  Country  forgotten. 

Holt's  N.  Y.  Journal. 

588.  The  Committee  of  Southold  expended  £24.  17.  4.  for 
mounting  four  cannon  Aug.  19,  '76,  as  field-pieces  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  East  End  of  L.  I. 

589.  Convention  send  an  express  on  Saturday  morning  Aug.  24, 
to  Suffolk  Co.  to  Gen.  Woodhull,  or  in  his  absence  to  Lt.  Col.  Pot- 
ter, to  march  without  delay  half  the  western  Reg.  of  Suffolk  Co. 
Militia,  with  5  days'  provisions  into  the  Western  part  of  Queens  :  to 
order  out  all  the  militia  of  Queens  with  the  horse,  to  prevent  the 
stock  and  provisions  in  Queens  from  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands? 
either  by  removing  or  destroying  them. 

Aug.  25.  Gen.  Woodhull  arrived  in  Jamaica,  whence  he  wrote 
to  the  convention  for  further  instructions,  but  the  letter  is  lost — Ed. 

590.  Huntington,  Aug.  26,  '76. 

I  had  not  arrived  at  my  house  from  Jamaica  half  an  hour,  before 
I  received  information  by  express  from  Capt.  Thompson  of  Brook- 
haven,  that  two  ships,  one  brig  and  three  tenders  had  landed  a  num- 
ber of  regular  troops  between  Old  Man's  and  Wading  Rivers,  who 
at  one  o'clock  were  shooting  cattle.  Major  Smith  has  ordered  the 
detachment  designed  for  your  party  to  the  eastward,  and  as  our  men 
are  gone  and  the  wind  fresh  to  the  eastward,  I  well  know  they  can- 
not lay  there.  I  expect  them  in  our  bay  before  morning,  the  only 
harbor  in  the  Sound :  I  have  not  ordered  any  men  from  here  as  yet, 
but  am  mustering  them  to  make  as  good  opposition  as  possible. 
We  must  have  help  here ;  every  thing  possible  for  me  shall  be  done. 
I  think  Gen.  Washington  should  be  acquainted.  Our  women  are  in 
great  tumult.  In  great  haste,  Yours, 

GILBERT  POTTER. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  Woodhull. 

591.  Benj.  Havens,  Nath'l  Williams,  Philip  Allen,  jr.,  John 
Hendrickson  and  Nathaniel  Seaman  were  empowered  to  purchase  all 


32 


KEVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


fat  cattle  and  sheep  in  Queens  and  Suffolk  Co's  on  account  of  the 
Commissary  General,  and  drive  them  down  to  Gen.  WoodhulPs  En- 
campment. 

592.  Westward  of  Qvesns  Co.,  Aug.  27,  '76. 
Gentlemen: — Inclosed  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Col.  Potter, 

who  left  me  yesterday  at  11  o'clock,  after  bringing  about  100  men  to  me 
at  Jamaica.  Majos  Smith  has,  I  expect,  all  the  rest  that  was  to  come 
from  Suffolk  Co.  There  has  about  40  of  the  militia  joined  me 
from  the  Regiments  in  Queens  Co.,  and  about  fifty  of  the  troop  be- 
longing to  Kings  and  Queens  Cp's,  which  is  near  all  I  expect.  I  have 
got  all  the  cattle  southward  of  the  Hills  in  Kings  Co.  drove  to  the 
eastward  of  the  cross  road  between  the  two  Co's,  and  have  placed  guards 
and  sentries  from  the  North  road  to  the  South  side  of  the  Island,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  cattle  going  back,  and  to  prevent  the  communica- 
tions of  the  Tories  with  the  enemy.  I  am  within  about  six  miles  of  the 
enemy's  camp.  Their  light-horse,*  has  been  within  two  miles  of 
me,  and  unless  I  have  more  men  our  stay  here  will  answer  no  purpose. 
We  shall  soon  want  to  be  supplied  with  provision,  if  we  tarry  here.  I 
am,  gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant 

NATH'L  WOODHULL. 
*  See  Queens  Co.,  Sec.  99,  Note.— Ed. 

593.  Aug.  26.  Convention  orders  Col.  Smith's  and  Remsen's 
Reg's  to  join  Gen.  Woodhull,  and  that  he  then  take  post  on  the 
heights  near  the  west  of  Queens  Co.,  or  in  any  convenient  place, 
for  preventing  the  depredations  and  incursions  of  the  Enemy :  and 
that  he  call  out  the  militia  and  other  inhabitants  to  protect  those  re- 
moving, or  to  destroy  stock  and  other  provisions.  He  is  also  to  pre- 
vent intercourse  with  the  enemy  and  secure  suspicious  persons  and 
search  their  houses  for  papers. 

Smith's  and  Remsen's  Regiments  were  now  shut  up  in  the 
American  Lines,  so  that  no  assistance  ever  reached  Woodhull. — Ed. 

594.  Jamaica,  Aug.  27,  '76. 

Gentlemen  : — I  am  now  at  Jamaica,  with  less  than  100  men  ;  hav- 
ing brought  all  the  cattle  from  the  westward,  southward  of  the  hills  ;  and 
have  sent  them  off  with  the  Troops  of  Horse,  with  orders  to  take  all 
the  rest  Eastward  of  this  place  to  the  East  end  of  Hempstead  Plains, and 
to  put  them  into  the  fields  and  set  a  guard  over  them.  The  enemy,  I 
am  informed,  are  intrenching  from  the  Heights  near  Howard's,  South- 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


33 


ward.*  I  have  now  received  yours,  with  several  resolutions,  which  I 
wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  put  in  execution,  but,  unless  Col's  Smith 
and  Remsen,  mentioned  in  yours,  join  me  with  their  Regiments,  or  some 
other  assistance  immediately,  I  shall  not  be  able,  for  the  people  are  all 
moving  East,  and  I  cannot  get  any  assistance  from  them.  I  shall  con- 
tinue here  as  long  as  I  can,  in  hopes  of  a  reinforcement ;  but  if  none 
comes  soon,  I  shall  retreat  and  drive  the  stock  before  me,  into  the 
woods.  Col's  Smith  and  Remsen,  I  think  cannot  join  me.  Unless  you 
can  send  me  some  other  assistance,  I  fear  I  shall  soon  be  obliged  to  quit 
this  place.  I  hope  soon  to  hear  from  you.  I  am,  gentlemen, 
Your  most  obedient,humble  servant, 

NATH'L  WOODHULL. 

To  the  Hon.  Convention  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.  at  Harlem. 

*  A  mistake  of  course.  This  letter  appears  to  have  been  received 
and  acted  upon  by  the  Convention  before  the  preceding  one,  at  least  it 
is  so  entered  in  the  Journal. — Ed. 

595.  The  battle  of  Brooklyn  had  now  been  fought  (for  an  account  of 
which,  see  Kings  Co.)  and  the  enemy  had  so  completely  surprised 
the  American  scouts,  on  the  morning  of  Aug.  27,  that  not  one  prob- 
ably had  escaped  to  apprize  Woodhull  of  the  loss  of  our  outposts, 
and  warn  him  to  flee  from  impending  danger,  for  we  find  him  the  day 
after  the  defeat  yet  at  Jamaica,  writing  a  letter  to  the  Convention  and 
waiting  for  a  reply,  when  it  behooved  him  to  withdraw  speedily  and 
at  once  from  his  perilous  proximity. — Ed. 

596.  Major  Lawrence,  who  came  on  a  message  from  Woodhull, 
informs  Convention  the  morning  of  Aug.  28,  that  Dr.  Ab'm  Riker 
told  him  that  a  number  of  scattering  troops  [British]  had  posted 
themselves,  Aug.  27,  on  the  ridge  of  hills  between  Newtown  and  Ja- 
maica; that  they  had  been  in  many  of  the  houses;  had  taken 
victuals  and  drink  but  had  not  plundered  as  he  understood. 

Convention,  Aug.  28,  order  Maj.  Lawrence  to  wait  on  Gen.  Wash- 
ton  with  a  copy  of  Woodhull's  letter,  and  inform  him  how  Smith 
and  Remsen's  Regiments  may  be  sent  to  Woodhull  by  way  of 
Flushing. 

Washington  declined  sending  the  Regiments  as  he  could  not 
spare  them. — Ed. 

Convention  also  order  Mr.  Van  Wyck  to  repair  immediately  to 
Flushing  to  gain  intelligence  of  the  situation  of  the  enemy  and  what 
places  are  occupied  by  Woodhull,  and  that  he  dispatch  a  boat  with 


84 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


all  possible  expedition  with  the  information,  at  the  same  time  point- 
ing out  the  most  suitable  place  for  Woodhull's  reinforcement  to  land. 

Flushing,  Aug.  28,  '76. 
Gentlemen  : — I  am  informed  by  Thos.  Thorne,  a  member  of  Com- 
mittee, who  just  came  from  Gen.  Woodhull,  that  he  was  at  Jamaica  ; 
and  that  he  [Thorne]  just  came  from  White  Stone  ;  that  the  ships  of 
war  lay  between  Thorn's  Point  and  Great  Neck  ;  that  there  can  be  no 
danger  of  bringing  up  our  men  to  this  place,  if  [we]  can  get  them  up 
this  evening.  I  think  it  will  be  proper  to  send  this  intelligence  off  a3 
soon  as  possible  by  the  same  boat,  as  I  cannot  get  any  other.  I  am 
just  going  to  Jamaica  to  the  General. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  your  most  obt. 

Humble  servant, 

COR'S  VAN  WYCK. 

To  the  Pro.  Congress. 

[Whether  Van  Wyck  ever  reached  Woodhull  or  not,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  tell.  Perhaps  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  light-horse,  who, 
in  companies  of  8  or  10,  were  pillaging  at  Flushing. — Ed.] 

Jamaica,  Aug.  28,  '76. 
597.  Gentlemen  : — I  wrote  2  letters  to  you  yesterday,  one  by  ex- 
press, and  another  by  Mr.  Harper  ;*  and  also  sent  my  Brigade-major  to 
you  to  let  you  know  my  situation,  and  I  expected  an  answer  to  some  of 
them  last  night :  but  my  express  informed  me  he  was  detained  till  last 
night  for  an  answer.  I  have  now  rec'd  yours  of  the  26th,  which  is  only 
a  copy  of  the  last,  without  a  single  word  of  answer  to  my  letters,  or  the 
message  by  my  brigade-major.  I  must  again  let  you  know  my  situa- 
tion. I  have  about  70  men,  and  about  20  of  the  troop,  which  is  all  the 
force  I  have  or  can  expect,  and  I  am  daily  growing  less  in  number.  The 
people  are  so  alarmed  in  Suffolk,  that  they  will  not  any  more  of  them 
march  :  and  as  to  Col's  Smith  and  Remsen's  regiments,  they  cannot  join 
me,  for  the  communication  is  cut  off  between  us.  I  have  sent  about  1100 
cattle  to  the  great  fields  on  the  plains  yesterday,  about  300  more  gone 
off  this  morning  to  the  same  place  ;  and  I  have  ordered  a  guard  of  an 
officer  and  7  privates.  They  can  get  no  water  in  those  fields.  My  men 
and  horses  are  worn  out  with  fatigue.  The  cattle  are  not  all  gone  off 
toward  Hempstead ;  I  ordered  them  yesterday,  but  they  were  not  able 
to  take  them  along.  I  brought  yesterday  about  300  from  Newtown.  I 
think  the  cattle  are  in  as  much  danger  on  the  north  as  on  the  south  side, 
and  have  ordered  the  inhabitants  to  remove  them.    If  you  cannot  send 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


33 


me  an  immediate  reinforcement,  I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  no  men  with 
me  by  to-morrow  night ;  for  they  consider  themselves  in  an  enemy's 
country.  And  if  I  can  have  no  reinforcement,  I  beg  you  will  send  very 
particular  directions  what  I  shall  do  with  the  stock,  whether  I  shall  kill 
them,  or  leave  them,  for  I  shall  not  be  able  to  get  them  all  together  and 
tend  them  [even]  if  the  men  I  have  will  all  stay  with  me.  I  beg  you 
would  immediately  send  at  least  2  members  as  a  committee  that  I  may 
have  their  advice :  for  unless  you  do,  I  must  quit,  for  I  hope  the  Con- 
vention does  not  expect  me  to  make  brick  with[out]  straw. 

I  am,  Gentlemen, 
Your  most  ob't, 

NATH'L  WOODHULL. 
[*  Robert  Harper  had  just  carried  £200  to  the  Committee  of  Flush- 
ing, and  was  on  his  return  to  the  Convention. — Ed.] 

[The  above  is  the  last  letter  ever  written  by  the  General — writ- 
ten probably  only  a  few  hours  before  his  capture  ;  and  it  was  while 
waiting  for  a  reply  that  he  was  overtaken  by  the  enemy.  In  com- 
pliance with  his  request,  the  Convention  ordered,  Aug.  28,  that 
Judge  Hobart  and  Jas.  Townsend  be  a  Committee  to  repair  to  Gen. 
Woodhull,  to  assist  him  with  their  advice,  and  that  they  impress 
boats  and  persons  to  convey  themselves  to  the  General  with  the  ut- 
most dispatch ;  and  that  they  and  the  General  be  instructed  to  cause 
all  such  stock  and  grain  in  Queens  and  the  western  part  of  Suffolk, 
as  may  be  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands  and  cannot  be 
removed,  to  be  destroyed.]  Jour.  596. 

[Messrs.  Townsend  and  Hobart,  on  arriving  in  Queens  Co., 
heard  of  Woodhull's  capture,  wThen  they  hastened  on  to  Hunting- 
ton.— Ed.] 

Aug.  29.  Convention  yet  in  ignorance  of  Woodhull's  fate,  or- 
der Sam'l  Townsend,  a  member  of  their  body,  to  be  sent  as  a  mes- 
senger to  him  (fearing  a  letter  might  fall  into  the  enemies'  hands)  to 
give  an  account  of  their  proceedings  upon  the  subject  of  his  letters, 
and  of  Washington's  letter  declining  to  send  Cols.  Smith  and  Rem- 
sen.    [Townsend  probably  did  not  set  out. — Ed.]        Jour.  599. 

598.  [What  part,  if  any,  the  L.  I.  regiments  bore  in  the  battle  of 
Brooklyn,  I  am  not  able  to  say.  They  were  hemmed  in  the  Lines, 
and  perhaps  acted  as  inner  guards.  Col.  Smith  joined  in  the  retreat 
to  New-York,  as  appears  by  the  following  letter. — Ed.] 


3G 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


Camp  at  Brooklyn,  Aug.  29,  '76. 
To  the  President  of  the  Convention. — I  just  now  received  orders  from 
the  General  to  march  my  Reg.  over  to  N.  Y.,  and  there  to  receive  or- 
ders from  the  Convention  of  N.  Y.,  which  I  desire  you  to  send  me  by 
the  bearer,  Col.  Phinehas  Fanning. 

JOSIAH  SMITH,  Col. 

[Convention  order  Col.  Smith's  Reg.  to  Hoorn's  Hook,  but  it 
was  soon  disbanded,  "  the  Col.  giving  leave  for  every  man  to  shift 
for  himself  in  getting  their  families  and  effects  off  L.  I." — Ed.] 

[The  death  of  Gen.  Woodhull  has  not  been  described  in  any  his- 
tory of  the  Revolution,  and  as  the  accounts  both  written  and  traditional 
are  conflicting,  we  insert  all  the  notices  of  his  capture  and  death  we 
have  met  with,  and  leave  the  reader  to  form  his  own  opinion. — Ed.] 

599.  Death  of  Gen.  Woodhull,  from  Wood's  L.  L,  pages  88,89. 
Ed.  of  1826. 

Before  General  Woodhull  had  reached  the  outposts  of  the  Ame- 
rican army,*  he  discovered  that  the  British  had  possession  of  the 
country  between  him  and  the  left  wing  of  the  American  army,  and 
that  any  farther  advance  would  only  expose  his  troops,  without  ef- 
fecting any  good  purpose,  and  therefore  ordered  a  retreat.  The 
Gen.  remained  in  the  rear  and  retreated  slowly  with  only  one  or  two 
companions,  waiting,  as  is  said,  for  the  return  of  his  Brigade  Major 
[Lawrence].  A  severe  thunder  shower,  as  is  supposed,  obliged  him 
to  take  refuge  in  a  public  house  about  2  miles  east  of  Jamaica  [vil- 
lage], and  before  he  left  the  house  he  was  overtaken  by  a  detach- 
ment of  the  17th  Reg.  of  British  Dragoons,  and  71st  Reg.  of  British 
Infantryf  [Highlanders],  who  had  been  dispatched  in  pursuit  of  the 
militia  under  his  command,  accompanied  by  some  disaffected  inhabi- 
tants [of  Jamaica]  as  guides.  The  Gen.  stept  to  the  door|  in  order 
to  give  them  his  sword.  The  ruffian  who  first  approached  him,  said 
to  be  a  Major  BairdJ  of  the  71st,  as  is  reported,  ordered  him  to  say 
"  God  save  the  King."  The  General  replied,  "  God  save  us  all,"  on 
which  he  most  cowardly  and  cruelly  assailed  the  defenceless  General 
with  his  broadsword,  and  would  have  killed  him  on  the  spot,  if  he 
had  not  been  prevented  by  the  interference  of  an  officer  of  more 
honor  and  humanity,  said  to  be  Major  Delancy||  of  the  Dragoons, 
who  arrested  his  savage  violence.    The  Gen.  was  badly  wounded  in 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


37 


the  head,  and  one  or  both  arms  was  mangled  from  the  shoulder  to 
the  wrist.    *  *    *  *  * 

It  is  said  that  one  of  the  battalions  employed  in  this  inglorious 
warfare  against  an  unresisting  individual,  or  some  other  one,  was  com- 
manded by  a  Major  Crewe,1f  a  distant  kinsman  of  the  Gen.,  and  that 
when  he  came  to  be  apprized  of  that  fact  and  of  the  circumstances 
of  the  case,  he  was  so  mortified,  that  he  either  resigned  his  commis- 
sion and  quit  the  service,  «r  obtained  permission  to  leave  the  army, 
and  returned  to  England. 

.[*  It  is  now  demonstrated  by  documents  that  Gen.  W.  was  not  or- 
dered to  join  the  A.  army  at  all,  but  to  drive  off  the  stock  towards  the 
east.] 

[t  Could  foot  soldiers  have  kept  up  with  dragoons  in  their  hot  pur- 
suit of  the  General  ?  Besides,  the  71st  Reg.  was  engaged  in  battle  at 
Gowanus,  Aug.  27.] 

[t  The  accounts  vary  of  the  precise  manner  of  the  General's  capture 
whether  mounting  his  horse,  stepping  to  the  door,  taken  in  the  dark  in* 
the  barn,  or  after  an  ineffectual  attempt  at  concealment,  or  on  the 
piazza.] 

[§  In  '76  there  was  a  Capt.  (not  Major)  Sir  Jas.  Baird  of  the  71st 
Reg.] 

[||  See  Queens  Co.,  Sec.  112.] 

[IT  Major  Crewe  (17th  Dragoons),  if  he  ever  did  resign,  was  very 
slow  about  it,  for  we  find  his  name  in  the  army  list  in  '78.] 

[I  have  italicised  the  words  implying  doubt  or  uncertainty  in  the 
above  account.  They  occur  nine  times !  In  his  first  edition,  1824, 
Wood  says, "  Woodhull  was  suffered  by  the  officers  to  be  so  cut  and 
mangled,  that  he  died  of  his  wounds  a  few  days  after  his  capture." 
—Ed.} 

A  New  Haven  paper  of  Sep.  4,  says,  "Woodhull,  late  President 
of  the  New-York  Congress,  for  refusing  to  give  up  his  side  arms, 
was  wounded  on  the  head  with  a  cutlass  and  had  a  bayonet  thrust 
through  his  arm." 

[The  mention  of  cutlass  and  bayonet  would  indicate  that  both 
horse  and  foot  were  present  at  Woodhull's  capture. — Ed.] 

Col.  Livingston  says,  Southold,  Aug.  31,  "  Woodhull  was  taken 
prisoner  Wed.  last,  Aug.  28,  and  cruelly  treated  by  the  horse.  Af- 
ter he  was  taken  he  received  a  wound  in  his  head  and  much  uncivil 
language,  and  was  finally  committed  close  prisoner  to  Jamaica  jail." 
3 


33 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


[*  Does  this  refer  to  his  being  ordered  to  say  "  God  save  the  king  V* 
—Ed.} 

Wm.  Warne,  who  left  Long  Island  Sep.  5th,  '76,  reports  at 
Fishkill,  Sep.  7th,  that  "  one  of  the  Light  Horsemen  told  he  had 
taken  Gen.  Woodhull  in  the  dark  in  Increase  Carpenter's  barn ; 
that  before  he  would  answer  when  he  spoke  to  the  General,  he  had 
cut  him  on  the  head  and  both  arms."  Jour.  617,  619. 

"  Sundry  prisoners  taken  on  L.  I.  Aug.  27,  were,  in  an  inhuman 
and  barbarous  manner,  murdered  after  they  had  surrendered  their 
arms ;  particularly  a  General  Woodhull,  of  the  Militia,  who  was 
hacked  to  pieces  with  cutlasses,  when  alive,  by  the  light  horsemen." 
— Ethan  Allen's  Life,  written  March  '79. 

[That  the  light  horse  were  sent  expressly  to  capture  Woodhull's  party, 
and  prevent  his  driving  off  the  live  stock,  which  they  so  much  needed, 
is  highly  probable  in  itself,  and  is  confirmed  by  all  tradition.  Wm. 
Howard,  aged  86,  says :  "  On  the  night  before  the  battle,  the  light  horse 
(who  acted  as  scouts  to  the  enemy),  heard  where  Woodhull's  party  lay, 
and  started  in  quest  of  him  ;  but  on  hearing  an  exaggerated  account  of 
his  force,  they  returned."  The  day  after  the  battle,  they  set  out  again 
after  him,  and  entered  Jamaica  village  at  tea-time,  inquiring  for  Wood- 
hull.  They  surrounded  the  house  of  Robert  Hinchman,  a  noted  Whig, 
who  ran  out  of  the  back  door,  but  was  stopped  by  the  soldiers  who  had 
already  surrounded  the  house,  expecting  perhaps  to  find  Woodhull  there. 
Hinchman  was  next  seen  in  front  of  his  house  on  his  knees  with  hands 
uplifted  and  the  enemy  flourishing  their  swords  over  his  head.  His  life 
was  spared,  but  he  was  put  in  jail  that  night  and  next  day  sent  west- 
ward. 

The  light  horse  rode  on  east  till  they  came  to  Carpenter's  inn, 
where  they  saw  two  horses  (as  Mrs.  Hinchman  used  to  tell  the  story), 
and  supposed  the  riders  must  be  near.  After  searching  a  while  to  no 
purpose,  they  fired  their  pistols  into  the  thatched  roof  of  the  barn,  but 
as  the  straw  was  wet  it  would  not  kindle.  They  then  broke  open  the 
doors  and  felt  in  the  hay  with  their  swords  till  they  pricked  the  heel  of 
Wm.  Everett's  boot.  On  his  putting  forth  his  head  to  surrender,  he 
was  cut  at  by  a  soldier  till  an  officer  stopped  him.  Gen.  Woodhull  was 
brought  wounded  the  same  evening  into  the  back  room  of  her  house 
and  laid  on  a  bed,  his  arm  hacked,  as  a  butcher  would  a  shin  of  beef. 
He  begged  Mrs.  H.  not  to  leave  him  alone,  and  that  her  son  might 
sit  up  with  him  that  night.  "  Don't  be  uneasy,  General,"  said  the  kind 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


39 


hostess,  "  I  don't  expect  to  go  to  bed  to-night."  (In  Knapp's  Life  of 
Woodhull,  it  is  said  "  he  was  confined  in  the  stone  church,  exposed 
in  his  blood-stained  garments,  to  the  gaze  of  all.")  The  next  morning 
the  enemy  would  have  made  Woodhull  walk  with  other  prisoners  to  the 
British  army,  but  he  was  too  faint.  Whithead  Hicks  had  previously 
offered  his  carriage  for  the  use  of  the  wounded  General,  but  the  kind 
offer  was  rejected,  incredible  as  it  may  seem,  by  Sir  Wm.  Erskine !  At 
last,  as  David  Lamberson,  also  a  prisoner,  was  too  unwell  to  walk,  they 
made  him  take  his  own  chair  and  Woodhull  with  him  in  it.  The  Gen- 
eral, with  other  prisoners,  was  probably  first  taken  to  Howe's  head-quar- 
ters near  Brooklyn,  to  be  registered.  We  know  nothing  of  the  place 
or  manner  of  his  confinement  till  about  a  fortnight  after,  when  he  was 
brought  on  board  a  prison-ship  off  New  Utrecht. 

How  different  was  Woodhull' s  treatment  from  that  of  Gen.  Sullivan 
and  Lord  Sterling,  taken  prisoners  the  day  before,  who  were  kindly  en- 
tertained and  soon  exchanged.  Was  it  because  they  were  of  the  Regu- 
lar or  Continental  army,  while  Woodhull,  though  President  of  the  N. 
Y.  Convention,  was  but  a  general  of  militia  ? — Ed.] 

Robert  Troup,  Esq.,  a  Lieutenant  in  Col.  Lasher's  battalion  of 
New-York  militia,  was  made  prisoner  by  a  British  scouting  party, 
about  three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Aug.  27,  five  miles  west  of  Jamaica. 
After  a  week's  confinement  at  Flatbush,  he  with  seventy  or  eighty 
officers,  was  put  on  board  a  small  vessel  or  transport,  lying  between 
Gravesend  and  the  Hook,  which  had  been  employed  in  bringing 
cattle  from  England.  After  Troup's  release,  he  made  oath  of  the 
treatment  he  had  received  :  and  at  the  close  of  it  he  adds  : — 

"  That  while  he  was  confined  on  board  the  said  transport,  Brigadier 
General  Woodhull  was  also  brought  on  board,  in  a  shocking  mangled 
condition  :  that  deponent  asked  the  General  the  particulars  of  his  cap- 
ture, and  was  told  by  the  said  General  that  he  had  been  taken  by  a  party 
of  light-horse,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Oliver  De  Lancey :  that 
he  was  asked  by  the  said  Captain  if  he  would  surrender  ;  that  he  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative,  provided,  he  would  treat  him  like  a  gentle- 
man, which  Captain  De  Lancey  assured  him  he  would  ;  whereupon  the 
General  delivered  his  sword,  and  that  immediately  after  the  said  Oliver 
De  Lancey,  junior,  struck  him,  and  others  of  the  said  party  imitating  his 
example,  did  cruelly  cut  and  hack  him  in  the  manner  he  then  was; 
that,  although  he  was  in  such  a  mangled  and  horrible  situation,  he  had, 
nevertheless,  been  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  bare  floor  of  the  said  trans- 


40 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


port,  if  a  lieutenant  of  the  man-of-war  who  guarded  the  transport  had 
not  lent  him  a  mattress  :  that  General  Woodhull  was  afterwards  car- 
ried to  the  hospital  in  the  church  of  New  Utrecht,  where  he  perished,  as 
deponent  was  on  good  authority  informed,  through  want  of  care,  and 
other  necessaries  :  and  further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

"  Robert  Troup. 

"  Sworn  the  17th  of  January,  1777,  before  me, 

"  Gouv.  MoRRis." 
What  Troup  heard  of  Woodhull's  perishing  through  want  of  care 
and  other  necessaries,  is  confirmed  by  the  following  extract  of  a  let- 
ter from  Dr.  Silas  Holmes,  of  Norwich,  a  prisoner  and  assistant 
surgeon  in  the  British  Hospital,  who  himself  attended  Woodhull. 
He  says : — 

"  The  wounded  prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Brooklyn  were  put 
in  the  churches  of  Flatbush  and  New  Utrecht,  but  being  neglected  and 
unattended,  were  wallowing  in  their  own  filth,  and  breathed  an  in- 
fected and  putrid  air.  Ten  days  after  the  battle,  Dr.  Richard  Bailey 
was  appointed  to  superintend  the  sick.  He  was  humane,  and  dressed 
the  wounded  daily,  got  a  sack-bed,  sheet  and  blanket  for  each  prisoner, 
and  distributed  the  patients  into  the  adjacent  barns.  When  Mrs. 
Woodhull  offered  to  pay  Dr.  Bailey  for  his  care  and  attention  to  her 
husband,  he  replied,  he  had  done  no  more  than  his  duty,  and  if  there 
was  any  thing  due,  it  was  to  me." 

What  a  pity  Woodhull  had  not  fallen  into  the  hands  of  this  good 
Samaritan  in  the  earlier  stages  of  his  illness !  His  wounds,  neglected 
for  nine  days  in  the  hot  months  of  August  and  September,  had  assumed 
such  a  malignant  form,  that  not  even  the  medical  skill  of  Dr.  Bailey 
could  avail  to  save  his  valuable  life. 

Proceedings  of  the  N.  Y.  Convention  in  behalf  of  Gen.  Woodhull, 
Sep.  18,  '76. 

"  Whereas  this  Convention,  after  many  anxious  inquiries,  hath  at 
length  received  certain  intelligence  that  the  Hon.  Nath'l  Woodhull, 
Brig.  Gen.  of  the  militia,  and  President  of  the  Convention  of  this  State, 
is  at  present  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  that  he  was  made  captive 
whilst  actually  employed  in  executing  the  Resolutions  of  this  House. 
And  Whereas  they  are  loudly  called  upon  not  only  by  the  sacred 
voice  of  honor  and  public  duty,  but  likewise  by  the  sympathizing 
principles  of  personal  affection  and  respect,  to  exert  themselves  in 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


41 


restoring  so  valuable  a  person  to  that  liberty  which  he  has  hmiself 
lost  in  endeavoring  to  secure  to  others  that  inestimable  blessing ; 
Therefore,  Resolved,  that  a  list  of  the  prisoners  at  the  disposal  of  this 
State  be  immediately  made  out,  and  transmitted  to  Gen.  Washington, 
and  that  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Esq.  wait  on  his  Excellency  with  the 
earnest  request  of  this  Convention,  that  he  will  be  pleased  to  give 
his  assistance  and  advice  in  negotiating  his  exchange." 
Hobart  thus  writes  from  Fairfield,  Oct.  7,  '76 : 

Gentlemen  : — I  wrote  to  ^Convention  from  Camp  at  Kingsbridge, 
giving  an  account  of  the  progress  I  had  made  in  negotiating  the  ex- 
change of  Gen.  Woodhull,  since  which  I  have  received  the  melancholy 
intelligence  of  his  death.  The  wound  in  his  arm  mortified,  and  the 
arm  was  taken  off,  but  the  mortification  still  continued,  and  in  a  few 
days  put  an  end  to  that  useful  life.  He  was  attended  in  his  dying  mo- 
ments by  his  lady,  who  was  permitted  to  remove  the  corpse  to  his  seat, 
where  it  was  interred  about  the  23d  ult.  These  particulars  I  have  from 
Capt.  Benajah  Strang,  of  Islip,  by  whose  door  the  procession  passed  on 
its  way  to  St.  George's.  Cor.  346. 

[The  ballad  on  Woodhull's  death  (Thompson,  n.  423,)  was  first 
published  in  the  N.  Y.  Nat.  Advocate,  Feb.  28,  1821,  and  thence 
copied  into  the  L.  I.  papers.  It  was  probably  written  (with  poetic 
license)  by  some  person  of  leisure,  who  in  his  rides  from  the  city 
called  at  Carpenter's  Inn,  and  heard  the  story  from  the  Landlady. 
A  tragedy  has  also  been  written  on  the  same  subject,  by  Mr.  Lester, 
1849.  The  Life  of  Woodhull  may  be  found  in  Thompson,  and  also 
in  Knapp's  Biography.    See  Queens  Co.,  Sec.  Ill,  112. — Ed.'] 

[The  original  Journal  of  Col.  Woodhull,  3d,  N.  Y.  Reg.,  kept  during 
the  expedition  of  Gen.  Amherst,  against  Montreal,  in  1760,  is  now  in 
possession  of  his  descendants  at  Mastic. — Ed.] 


PART  II. 


SUBMISSION  OF  SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

600.  [The  consternation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Suffolk,  at 
hearing  the  news  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  Brooklyn  and  the 
subsequent  abandonment  of  the  Island  to  the  enemy,  may  be 
better  understood  from  the  following  documents  than  any  de- 
scription I  can  give. — Ed.] 

Hobart  and  Townsend  who  had  been  sent  by  the  Convention 
to  advise  with  Woodhull,  write  as  follows,  from  Hunting- 
ton, Aug.  30 : — 

"  To  our  unspeakable  mortification  we  found,  when  we  arrived  in 
Queens  Co.,  that  the  militia  had  dispersed,  and  Gen.  Woodhull  had 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  We  then  proceeded  with  all 
dispatch  to  this  town,  as  the  only  place  where  we  could  have  any 
prospect  of  making  an  effectual  stand,  as  the  enemy  were  in  full  pos- 
session of  the  western  parts  of  Queens  Co.,  as  far  as  Jamaica,  and 
the  Disaffected  from  the  east  were  gone  in  to  them.  We  have  order- 
ed the  militia  of  Suffolk  to  rendezvous  here,  and  written  to  Col.  Mul- 
fordof  E.  Hampton,  to  come  up  and  take  command,  and  have  borrow- 
ed £320  from  the  Treasurer  of  Q.  Co. — Aug.  31.  Our  express  not 
being  able  to  cross  at  Sand's  Point,  has  returned.  A  no.  of  militia 
of  this  town,  are  now  under  arms,  but  they  complain  their  officers 
have  left  them.  We  have  exerted  ourselves  to  recover  the  people 
from  the  consternation  into  which  they  were  thrown  by  the  precipi- 
tate retreat  of  WoodhulPs  party.  A  party  of  Kings  Co.  horse  have 
crossed  the  sound  from  this  place,  leaving  their  horses  to  follow  in 
the  next  boat.  We  stopped  the  horses  and  sent  for  the  men  back 
[they  did  not  return. — Ed.].  We  purpose  after  the  party  who  were 
with  Gen.  Woodhull  are  rallied,  to  form  the  rest  into  companies.  As 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


43 


to  field  officers  we  shall  be  at  a  loss,  as  Col.  Floyd  is  at  Congress,  Lt. 
Col.  Potter  is  gone  off,  1st  Major  Smith  resigned :  2d  Major  Brush 
is  with  us  and  begins  to  be  in  spirits.  Cor.  291. 

Narrative  of  the  proceedings  of  the  officers  and  men  of  part  of 
1st  Reg.  of  Suffolk  Co.,  Aug.  SO,  at  Brookhaven  and 
Smithtown,  by  EbenW  Dayton,  Q.  M. 

Aug.  29.  Maj.  Jeffery  Smith  sent  orders  to  Adjutant  Philip  Roe, 
to  order  the  4  companies  in.  Brookhaven  to  march  immediately  to 
Piatt  Carlls'  in  Huntington.  He  did  so,  and  there  appeared  a  high 
spirit  among  the  men.  By  the  middle  of  next  day  3  companies 
arrived  to  Epenetus  Smith's,  Smithtown,  and  the  other,  Capt.  Nich. 
Roe's,  was  coming  up.  It  was  reported  at  Smith's  that  the  Major 
was  gone  to  Huntington  to  see  Messrs.  Hobart  and  Townsend,  and 
desired  the  companies  to  wait  till  his  return,  which  was  not  till  dark. 
Meanwhile  the  militia  were  uneasy  and  eager  to  march  to  Hempstead 
Plains,  to  bring  off  the  stock  and  make  a  stand  in  the  woods  E.  of 
the  Plains.  At  dusk  the  Major  returned  and  called  the  officers  into 
a  room,  and  told  them  he  thought  "  it  dangerous  to  march  farther 
West,  as  their  forces  would  not  be  sufficient  to  oppose  the  enemy, 
and  he  very  much  gave  up  the  Island  ;  they  must  fall  in  the  enemy's 
hands,  it  would  not  be  good  policy  to  incense  a  cruel  enemy  by  being 
taken  in  arms ;  if  they  remained  quietly  at  home,  they  would  Hire 
better,  and  that  he  should  resign  his  commission ;  Col.  Potter  was 
gone  off  and  left  him  alone,  and  Maj.  Brush  had  judged  it  unsafe  to 
proceed  against  the  enemy,  unless  reinforced.  Capt.  Thompson  said 
he  would  give  orders,  for  his  company  to  return  home  immediately." 
Major  S.  said  he  would  give  no  orders  as  he  designed  to  decline  his 
commission  (but  advised  them  to  wait  till  they  could  have  orders 
from  Hobart  and  Townsend)  ;  whereupon  the  milita  repaired  to 
their  homes.  Cor.  292. 

Sam'l  Buell  writes  from  Sag  Harbor,  Aug.  30,  '76,  that  he  has  just 
received  direct  intelligence  from  the  West  end  of  the  Island,  that  the 
ministerial  army  are  on  this  side  our  army.  The  enemy  have  200  horse 
whose  riders  were  to  dine,  Aug.  28,  at  Hempstead.  The  Hessians 
fight  terribly.  I  am  with  Col.  Livingston.  Will  you  throw  over  a  num- 
ber of  Troops  !  Trumbull,  V.  444. 

H.  B.  Livingston  writes  from  Sag  Harbor,  Aug.  30,  '76,  that  he 


44 


SUBMISSION  OF 


has  command  of  a  detachment  of  200  troops  by  order  of  Washington, 
to  protect  inhabitants  and  stock.  This  force  is  insufficient  and  in 
danger.  "Send  over  forces  in  the  night, that  they  may  not  be  seen  by 
the  British  ships  in  the  Sound." 

Robt.  Hempstead,  Ch'n  of  a  Committee  meeting,  at  Southhold* 
Aug.  31,  '76,  writes  that  they  have  received  several  expresses  from  the 
middle  of  the  Island,  that  the  enemy's  scouting  party  of  about  300  horse 
and  400  foot  with  a  no.  of  tory  recruits,  are  about  penetrating  into  Suf- 
folk Co.,  as  they  have  already  marched  as  far  as  the  West  part  of 
Hempstead  Plains,  where  they  took  Gen.  Woodhull  prisoner.  '^Will 
you  aid  us  with  men  and  ammunition,  as  our  men  are  chiefly  drawn  off 
—not  able  to  raise  over  750  men  in  the  whole  Co. — If  you  send  men,  send 
provisions  also,  except  fresh." 

Maltby  Gelston,  Ch'n  of  the  Committee  of  S.  andE.  Hampton,  met 
at  Bridge  Hampton,  Aug.  31,  '76,  wTrites  to  the  same  effect. 

Buell  writes  from  Sag  Harbor,  Aug.  31,  that  Gen  Woodhull  is  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  King's  troops.  Two  days  ago  they  drove  1500 
head  of  cattle  from  Hempstead  Plains  to  their  army.  They  are  about 
to  enter  Suffolk  with  300  horse  and  a  company  of  foot.  3  Companies 
of  SO  men  each  are  stationed  here  with  one-third  of  our  militia,  who 
are  ordered  to  march  immediately  up  the  Island.  They  are  fortify- 
ing 15  miles  hence,  where  the  Island  is  but  15  rods  wide,  where  200 
men  can  oppose  2,000.    Half  our  militia  is  away. 

H.  B.  Livingston,  at  Camp,  River  Head,  Sep.  1, '76,  writes  that 
Hobart  has  brought  a  letter  from  Huntington. 

H.  B.  Livingston,  Saybrook  Harbor,  Sep.  4,  '76,  writes  that  on  Sat.  last 
he  marched  to  River  Head,  within  about  50  miles  of  the  British  Light 
Horse,  with  his  detachment  of  200  men,  and  the  Suffolk  militia,  but 
when  the  militia  heard  the  Island  was  given  up,  they  proposed  to  sub- 
mit and  fled  to  their  homes.  He  retreated  to  Cont.,  having  disarmed 
70  of  the  inhabitants  and  brought  off  4  cannon  with  baggage  and  some 
provisions. 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Suffolk  County. 
601.  His  Excellency  Gen.  Howe  having  appointed  me  Com- 
manding officer  for  the  eastern  part  of  this  Island,  I  do  hereby  strictly 
enjoin  and  order  all  persons  whatsoever  in  your  County  of  Suffolk, 
upon  your  peril,  to  use  your  utmost  efforts  to  preserve  the  peace  of 
said  county  ;  that  all  Committee-men  and  others  acting  under  the 
authority  of  the  Rebels,  immediately  do  cease  and  remain  at  their  re- 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


45 


spective  homes,  that  every  man  in  arms  lay  them  down  forthwith  and 
surrender  themselves  on  pain  of  being  treated  as  rebels  :  and  I  here- 
by exhort  all  persons  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  His  Majesty's  Forces 
by  furnishing  them  with  whatever  lays  in  their  power.  In  particu- 
lar that  they  bring  in  their  cattle  (except  milch  cows  and  calves)  for 
their  supply,  and  their  wagons  and  horses  for  transporting  their  bag- 
gage, &c, — for  all  which  they  shall  be  fully  paid,  His  Majesty  having 
sent  his  army,  not  for  the  oppression,  but  for  the  protection  of  the 
inhabitants  :  But  I  must  also  signify  that  unless  they  show  a  dutiful 
submission  in  all  respects,  and  an  immediate  compliance  with  these 
orders  respecting  the  cattle  and  wagons,  I  shall  be  under  the  neces- 
sity of  marching  the  forces  under  my  command  without  delay  into 
the  county,  and  lay  waste  the  property  of  the  disobedient,  as  persons 
unworthy  His  Majesty's  clemency. 

WILL.  ERSKINE,  BrigW  Gen'L 
Head-Quarters  in  Queens  County,  Aug.  29,  17TG. 

602.  Jamaica,  Sep.  1,  '76. 
Sir  : — I  am  ordered  by  His  Ex.  the  Hon.  Wm.  Howe,  Gen'l.  and 

commander-in-chief  of  all  his  Majesty's  forces  in  N.  A.,  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  the  Floridas,  on  the  application  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  by 
Nath'l  Woodhull  and  Sam'l  Philips,  who  have  signified  to  him  that  the 
inhabitants  of  said  Co.  are  desirous  to  lay  down  their  arms  and  again 
become  loyal  and  obedient  subjects  ;  that  for  the  peace  and  ease  and 
security  of  the  inhabitants,  he  is  willing  to  accept  of  their  submission 
and  promise  them  protection,  on  the  King's  Colonels,  or  other  inferiors 
of  Militia,  respectively,  causing  the  men  through  the  county  to  lay  down 
their  arms,  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  sign  the  said  roll  of  submis- 
sion; disclaiming  and  rejecting  the  orders  of  Congress  and  Committees, 
and  totally  refusing  obedience  to  them,  and  to  obey  the  legal  authority 
of  Gov't.,  and  in  all  places  of  worship  in  future  to  pray  for  the  King 
and  royal  family,  as  was  used  before  the  present  unprovoked  rebellion. 

OLIVER  DELANCEY, 
Major  Gen'l  of  the  Militia  in  the  Southern 
District  of  the  Colony  of  IV.  F. 

To  Col.  Coxklix. 

603.  Huntington,  Sep.  2,  '76. 
Sir  :  You  are  hereby  directed  to  give  orders  to  all  the  King's 

Capts.,  or  next  commanding  officers  of  Militia,  in  the  3d  Bat.  of  Suf- 
folk Co.,  to  call  their  several  companies  together,  at  the  usual  places, 
3* 


46 


SUBMISSION  OF 


immediately,  and  to  order  those  that  have  taken  up  arms  against  the 
King,  to  lay  them  down  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  King, 
and  sign  a  roll  of  submission,  disclaiming  and  rejecting  the  orders 
of  Congress  or  Committees,  and  to  obey  the  legal  authority  of  Gov- 
ernment.   This  is  by  order  of  Gen.  Howe. 

O.  DELANCEY. 

I  have  inclosed  a  true  copy  of  the  writing  sent  me  by  Gen. 
Howe. 

To  Col.  Phineas  Fanning. 

Sep.  2,  '76.  Israel  Wood,  President  of  the  Trustees  of  Huntington 
writes  to  Col.  Livingston  to  disperse  his  army  or  the  Regulars  will  be 
on  him  ;  the  people  are  in  a  doleful  situation,  have  received  the  Procla- 
mation and  sent  in  their  resignations  yesterday.  Smithtown  did  the 
same. 

Col.  Abm.  Gardiner  administered  the  oath  of  allegianoe  to  the  peo- 
ple of  East  and  South  Hampton.  He  surrounded  the  house  of  Col. 
Hedges  at  Sagg  and  of  Col.  Mulford  at  East  Hampton,  and  forced  them 
to  the  oath.  Southold  met  by  order  of  Col.  Phineas  Fanning  to  take 
the  oath.  The  cattle  on  Montauk  were  driven  in  to  Erskine.  Tories 
were  enlisting  at  Coram,  before  Sep.  7,  '76. 

Harrison  says,  Sep.  7,  '76,  the  Ministerial  Troops  have  been  to  O. 
Bay  and  Hempstead,  the  disaffected  have  joined  to  assist  the  enemy, 
and  proceeded  as  far  as  Setauket.  Howe  has  set  guards  to  prevent 
stock  or  persons  going  off  the  Island.  Isaac  Ketcham  has  got  a  com- 
mission and  some  recruits.    Wm.  Smith,  of  ,  administers  oaths  of 

allegiance,  and  Thos.  Smith,  of  Hog  I.,  receives  submissions.  Col. 
Livingston  is  moving  westward  ;  men  were  going  from  Con't  to  bring 
off  gunpowder  and  flour  which  one  Ireland  had  sold  to  the  British  ;  Col. 
Jos.  Smith  was  in  Con't.  Jour.  612. 

Wm.  Warne,  who  left  Nassau  Island,  Sep.  5,  says  Suffolk  Co.  had 
given  up,  and  Gen.  Howe  sent  word  if  they  would  testify  their  loyalty, 
they  must  send  him  200  wagons,  and  they  sent  300  to  remove  baggage 
from  N.  Utrecht  to  Hellgate.  Jour.  619. 

Before  Oct.  7, '76,  200  infantry  and  100  cavalry  were  at  Huntington 
to  force  the  people  to  join  the  British  Troops.  Jour.  671. 

Oba.  Jones  to  Uriah  Rogers. 
Sep.  13,  '76.    Zeb.  Howell,  an  Express,  brings  Delancey's  Proclama- 
tion, dated  Sep.  11,  from  Jamaica  to  South  Hampton,  and  says,  "  British 
Head-Quarters  are  at  Jamaica,  and  2  men  must  be  sent  to  Jamaica  to 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


47 


Gen.  Howe  to  give  a  true  account  of  Suffolk  Co." — Nathan  Woodhull,  of 
Setauket,  was  appointed  for  the  west  part  of  Suffolk,  and  E,  and  S. 
Hampton  will  meet,  Sep.  14,  at  Sagg  Meeting-House,  to  appoint 
another. 

604.  Jamaica,  Queens  Co.,  Sep.  5,  '76. 
His  Ex.  the  Hon.  Wm.  Howe,  Gen.  and  commander-in-chief  of  all 

His  Majesty's  forces  within  the  Colonies  lying  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean, 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  West  Florida,  inclusive,  &c,  having  authorized 
me  to  raise  a  Brigade  of  Provincials  solely  for  the  defence  of  this  Island, 
to  re-establish  order  and  gov't,  within  the  same :  to  apprehend,  or  drive 
all  concealed  rebels  from  among  His  Majesty's  well-affected  subjects, 
and  other  essential  purposes ;  I  do  hereby,  for  the  encouragement  of  en- 
listing men  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  give  notice,  that  upon  any  persons 
of  good  recommended  characters,  raising  a  company  of  70  men,  they 
shall  have  commissions  for  one  Capt.,  one  Lt.,  and  one  Ensign,  and 
shall  be  paid  and  subsisted  as  the  officers  and  soldiers  are  in  the  British 
pay  :  and  it  is  hoped  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  will  cheerfully  raise 
the  men  wanted  for  the  service,  as  it  will  prevent  the  disagreeable  busi- 
ness of  detaching  them,  which  I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  doing, 
if  the  companies  cannot  be  raised  without. 

Given  under  my  hand,  the  date  above. 
OLIVER  DELANCEY,  Brig.  Gen'l. 

605.  Jamaica,  Sep.  11, '76. 

I  am  ordered  by  His  Ex.  Gen.  Howe  to  write  to  you,  and  order  all 
the  fat  cattle  and  sheep  in  Suffolk  Co.  to  be  immediately  driven  down 
to  Jamaica,  where  proper  persons  will  be  appointed  to  ascertain  the 
weight  of  them  ;  give  certificates  of  the  value  of  them,  that  the  owners 
maybe  paid  ;  keeping  a  distinct  account  of  those  cattle,  &c,  that  be- 
long to  the  people  who  are  in  actual  rebellion,  whose  cattle  must  be 
forced  down  for  the  refreshment  of  the  King's  Troops.  This  order 
must  be  speedily  obeyed,  or  the  county  will  otherwise  feel  the  resent- 
ment of  the  King's  Troops.  Reserving  only  as  many  cattle  as  is  neces- 
sary for  their  own  subsistence. 

Given  under  my  hand,  the  above  date. 

OLIVER  DELANCEY,  Brig.  Gen. 

606.  64  men,  women,  and  children  came  to  Milford,  and  nos. 
are  daily  coming-  off  to  the  Continent.    Sep.  4. 

Sam'l  Buell,  Sep.  7,  '76,  supports  the  request  of  the  Trustees  of  E. 
Hampton,  that  Gov.  Trumbull  would  not  carry  off  their  stock  and  ef- 


48 


SUBMISSION  OF 


fects.  "  We  are  subjects  of  His  Majesty,  King  George  ;  and  if  acces- 
sory, we  will  be  exposed  to  his  displeasure." 

Sep.  15.    Wharves  at  Sag  Harbor  crowded  with  emigrants. 

Buell  writes  from  E.  Hampton,  Sept.  22,  '76,  that  the  people  are 
as  a  torch  on  fire  at  both  ends,  which  will  be  speedily  consumed,  for  the 
Con't  Whigs  carry  off  their  stock  and  produce,  and  the  British  punish 
them  for  allowing  it  to  go — hopes  the  Whigs  will  not  oppress  the  op- 
pressed, but  let  the  stock  alone. 

Dan'l  Collins'  Bill  for  going  from  Sag  Harbor  to  E.  Hampton,  and 
taking  from  Col.  Gardiner's  house  130  firearms  and  3  silver-hilted 
swords,  and  from  Col.  Mulford's,  3  casks  powder  and  2  boxes  lead, 
and  at  another  time,  3  casks  powder  from  M.  Gelston,  Esq.,  of  S. 
Hampton,  was  £14.  16. 

Dec.  24,  '76.  Convention  paid  £44.  5.  to  John  Field  and  £630.  4. 
to  others,  for  freight  of  vessels  to  Con't. 

Jas.  Webb  rec'd  $3  per  day  for  hire  of  his  sloop,  Sep.  6  to  30,  in 
transporting  stock  and  inhabitants  from  L.  I.  to  Con't. 

Jour.  779. 

Dr.  Jona.  Havens,  Steph.  Howell,  and  others,  brought  off  goods  from 
L.  I. 

Convention  paid  £64.  10.  for  freight  and  passage  to  Con't,  of  fami- 
lies and  effects  of  Dan'l  Haines,  Dan'l  Hedges,  Mat.  Osborn,  Jas.  Jen- 
nings, Elisha  Mulford,  Linus  Dibble,  Isa.  Franks,  and  Jona.  Tuttle. 
Dec.  31, '76.  Jour.  881. 

Before  Sep.  27,  Capt.  Rodgers  carried  off  from  Huntington  Sam'l 
Skidmore  and  Isaac  Ketcham,  who  were  both  put  in  Fairfield  jail.  The 
former  had  possessed  himself  of  the  farm  of  Dr.  Z.  Piatt's  brother ;  the 
latter  was  sent  manacled  to  the  N.  Y.  Convention.    Oct.  13. 

Jour.  649,  636. 

Thos.  Dering,  John  Foster,  and  Thos.  Wickham,  appointed  by 
N.  Y.  a  Committee  to  report  on  the  claims  for  transporting  families, 
stock,  and  effects  from  L.  I.  to  Con't.    Dec.  31,  '76. 

607.  [  Capt.  Hale,  an  American  spy  was  detected  near  Huntington 
and  executed  in  N.  Y.,  but  as  the  accounts  are  conflicting,  we  insert  all 
the  original  notices  of  his  melancholy  fate  we  have  met  with,  and 
leave  the  reader  to  draw  his  own  inferences. — Ed.] 

Extract  of  a  Letter  to  the  Missouri  Republican  from  Stephen 
Hempstead,  Sen.,  aged  69,  copied  into  the  L.  I.  Star,  of  April  2, 1827. 

I  was  attached  to  Capt.  Hale's  Company  in  Col.  Webb's  Reg.  of  Con- 
tinental Troops,  and  in  his  confidence.    After  the  retreat  of  our  army 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


19 


from  L.  I.,  he  informed  me  he  was  sent  for  to  Head  Quarters,  and  was 
solicited  to  go  over  to  L.  I.  to  discover  the  disposition  of  the  Enemy's 
camp,  &c,  expecting  them  to  attack  N.  Y.,  but  that  he  was  too  unwell 
to  go,  not  having  recovered  from  a  recent  illness ;  that  upon  a  second 
application  he  had  consented  to  go,  and  said  I  must  go  with  him  as  far 
as  I  could  with  safety  and  wait  for  his  return.  Accordingly  we  left  our 
camp  on  Harlem  Heights,  with  the  intention  of  crossing  over  the  first 
opportunity  :  but  none  offered  until  we  arrived  at  Norwalk,  50  miles 
from  N.  Y.  In  that  harbor  there  was  an  armed  sloop  and  one  or  two 
row  galleys :  Capt.  Hale  had  a»general  order  to  all  armed  vessels  to  take 
him  to  any  place  he  should  designate.  He  was  set  across  the  Sound  in 
the  sloop  at  Huntington,  L.  L,  by  Capt.  Pond,  who  commanded  the  ves- 
sel. Capt.  Hale  had  changed  his  uniform  for  a  plain  suit  of  citizen's 
brown  clothes,  with  a  round  broad-brimmed  hat ;  assuming  the  character 
of  a  Dutch  Schoolmaster,  leaving  all  his  other  clothes,  commission, 
public  and  private  papers  with  me,  and  also  his  silver  shoe  buckles,  say- 
ing they  would  not  comport  with  his  character  of  Schoolmaster,  and 
retaining  nothing  but  his  college  diploma,  as  an  introduction  to  his  as- 
sumed calling.  Thus  equipped  we  parted  for  the  last  time  in  life.  He 
went  on  his  mission  and  I  returned  back  again  to  Norwalk,  with  orders 
to  stop  there  until  he  should  return,  or  I  hear  from  him,  as  he  expected 
to  return  back  again  to  cross  the  Sound  if  he  succeeded  in  his  object. 
The  British  army  had,  in  the  mean  time  got  possession  of  N.  Y.» 
whither  he  also  passed,  and  had  nearly  executed  his  mission,  and  was 
passing  the  British  piquet  guard  between  the  Lines  of  the  two  armies, 
within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  his  own  quarters,  when  he  was  stopped  at  a 
tavern  at  a  place  called  the  "  Cedars. "  Here  there  was  no  suspicion  of 
his  character  being  other  than  he  pretended,  until  most  unfortunately  he 
was  met  in  the  crowd  by  a  fellow  countryman  and  an  own  relation, 
(but  a  tory  and  renegade,)  who  had  received  the  hospitality  of  his 
board  and  the  attention  of  a  brother  from  Capt.  Hale,  at  his  quarters 
at  Winter  Hill  in  Cambridge  the  winter  before.  He  recognized  him 
and  most  inhumanly  and  infamously  betrayed  him, divulging  his  true  char- 
acter, situation  in  the  army  &c.  ;  and  having  him  searched,  his  diploma 
corroborated  his  relative's  statement,  when  without  any  formality  of  trial 
or  delay,  they  hung  him  instantaneously,  and  sent  a  flag  over  to  our  ar- 
my, stating  that  "  they  had  caught  such  a  man  within  their  lines  this 
morning,  and  hung  him  as  a  spy."  Thus  suddenly  and  unfeelingly 
did  they  rush  this  young  and  worthy  man  into  eternity,  not  allowing 
him  an  hour's  preparation  nor  the  privilege  of  writing  to  his  friends, 


50 


SUBMISSION  OF 


nor  even  to  receive  the  last  consolations  of  his  religion,  refusing  to  let 
the  chaplain  pray  with  him,  as  was  his  request.  After  parting  with 
Capt.  Hale,  of  all  these  circumstances  I  was  authentically  imformed  at 
the  time  and  do  most  religiously  believe  them.  "He  died  on  the  inglo- 
rious tree." 

[  The  above  account  by  Mr.  Hempstead  is  valuable  so  far  as  he 
speaks  from  his  own  knowledge  ;  and  yet  I  cannot  help  thinking  he 
is  in  error  when  he  says  Hale  carried  his  diploma  with  him.  Do  sol- 
diers carry  their  diplomas  about  with  them  in  war  ?  Besides,  it 
would  betray  his  real  name.  Why  assume  to  be  a  Dutch  rather 
than  a  Yankee  schoolmaster  ?  He  could  not  speak  or  understand 
Dutch,  and  yet  was  going  among  the  Dutch  with  a  paper  in  his  pock- 
et showing  him  to  be  a  Yankee  by  his  very  name,  Nathan.  May 
not  the  report  of  Ins  attempting  to  cross  from  one  camp  to  the  oth- 
er at  "  the  Cedars,  "  (if  there  ever  wTas  such  a  place,  )  be  a  mere 
supposition,  and  have  grown  out  of  the  idea  that  it  wTas  most  natural 
for  Hale  to  take  a  short  cut,  rather  than  a  circuitous  one  by  way  of 
Long  Island  ?  One  account  makes  his  betrayer  ( if  there  ever  was 
one )  visit  Hale  in  Coventry ;  the  other,  at  Winter  Hill.  Was  it 
not  the  plans  and  sketches  rather  than  the  diploma  that  betrayed 
Hale  7— Ed.] 

Newburyport,  Feb.  13,  '77. 

The  following  is  a  genuine  specimen  of  Tory  benevolence,  and  may  be 
depended  upon  as  a  real  matter  of  fact. 
Sam'l  Hale,  late  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  after  his  elopement  thence, 
visited  an  uncle  in  Conn.,  where  he  was  hospitably  entertained  ;  but 
as  his  uncle  was  a  Whig,  and  had  a  son,  a  young  gentleman  of  a  libe- 
ral education,  and  most  amiable  disposition,  who  strongly  felt  for  his 
bleeding  country,  and  being  very  active  in  the  military  way,  was 
urged  and  prevailed  on  to  take  a  commission  in  the  Continental 
Army;  consequently  Samuel  was  obliged  to  conduct  with  caution, 
and  counterfeit  as  well  as  he  could  a  Whiggish  phiz,  while  he  tar- 
ried, which  was  but  a  short  time  however,  before  he  made  his  escape 
to  Gen.  HoA-e  in  N.  Y. — Some  time  after  this,  Capt.  Hale,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  General,  went  into  N.  Y.  in  disguise,  and  having  nearly 
accomplished  his  designs,  whom  should  he  meet  but  his  aforesaid 
cousin  Samuel,  whom  he  attempted  to  shun,  but  Sam  knew  him  too 
well.  Capt.  Hale  soon  found  he  was  advertised,  and  so  particularly 
described,  that  he  could  not  get  through  L.  I.,  he  therefore  attempted 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


51 


to  escape  by  way  of  Kingsbridge,  and  so  far  succeeded  as  to  get  to  the 
outer  guard,  where  he  was  suspected,  apprehended,  carried  back  and 
tried,  and  yet  would  have  been  acquitted,  had  not  his  affectionate  and 
grateful  cousin  Samuel  appeared  and  made  qath,  that  he  was  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  Continental  Army,  and  that  he  was  in  there  as  a  Spy : 
in  consequence  of  which  he  was  immediately  hung  up ;  however, 
at  the  gallows  he  made  a  sensible  and  spirited  speech,  among  other 
things,  told  them  they  were  shedding  the  blood  of  the  innocent,  and 
that  if  he  had  ten  thousand  Jives,  he  would  lay  them  all  down,  if 
called  to  do  it,  in  defence  of  his  injured,  bleeding  country. 

The  Printers  throughout  the  Continent  are  desired  to  exhibit 
this  tragic  scene  to  the  public,  that  they  may  see  what  mercy  they 
are  to  expect  if  they  fall  into  the  hands  of  Tories. 

N.  H.  Gaz,,  Feb.  18,  '77. 

[I  think  the  above  contains  some  gross  misstatements. — Ed.] 

"  In  Hale's  attempt  to  return  he  was  apprehended,  carried  be- 
fore Sir  Wm.  Howe,  and  the  proof  of  his  object  was  so  clear,  that  he 
frankly  acknowledged  who  he  was  and  what  were  his  views:  Sir  Wm. 
Howe  at  once  gave  an  order  to  the  Provost  Marshal  to  execute  him  the 
next  morning.  The  order  was  accordingly  executed  in  the  most  un- 
feeling manner,  and  by  as  great  a  savage  as  ever  disgraced  humanity. 
A  clergyman,  whose  attendance  he  desired,  was  refused  him  ;  a  Bible 
for  a  moment's  devotion  was  not  procured,  though  he  requested  it.  Let- 
ters which,  on  the  morning  of  his  execution,  he  wrote  to  his  mother  and 
other  friends,  were  destroyed  ;  and  this  very  extraordinary  reason  given 
by  the  Provost  Marshal,  *  that  the  rebels  should  not  know  that  they 
had  a  man  in  their  army  who  could  die  with  so  much  firmness.' " 

Hannah  Adams,  as  quoted  by  Dr.  Thatcher. 

The  following  is  from  the  Life  of  Gen.  Wm.  Hull. 

Washington  spoke  to  Knowlton,  and  he  to  Hale.  Hale  advised 
with  Hull,  who  opposed  the  measure  as  dangerous  and  disgraceful. 
Soon  after  this,  Hale  was  absent.  In  a  few  days  a  British  officer  under 
a  flag  informed  Hamilton  that  Hale  had  been  executed  that  morning 
as  a  spy.  The  officer  told  Hull  he  was  present  at  the  execution  and 
seemed  touched  at  the  circumstances.  "  Hale  had  passed  through  the 
armies  on  Long  and  York  Islands,  made  sketches  of  fortifications  and 
memoranda.    When  apprehended  he  was  taken  before  Howe,  and  the 


52 


SUBMISSION  OP 


concealed  papers  found.  He  at  once  declared  his  name,  rank  and  ob- 
ject. Howe,  without  the  form  of  a  trial,  ordered  his  execution  next 
morning,  and  put  him  in  custody  of  the  Provost  Marshal.  Hale  asked 
for  a  Clergyman.  He  was  refused.  He  next  asked  for  a  Bible.  That 
too  was  refused.  On  the  morning  of  the  Execution  my  station  was 
near  the  fatal  spot,  and  I  requested  the  Provost  Marshal  to  let  Hale  sit 
in  my  marquee  while  the  neccessary  preparations  were  making.  Hale  en- 
tered calm  and  dignified.  He  asked  for  pen  and  ink,  and  wrote  letters 
to  his  Mother  and  a  Brother  officer,  which  were  subsequently  destroyed 
by  Cunningham.  Shortly  after  he  was  summoned  to  the  gallows  ;  few 
were  around.  His  last  words  were,  "  I  only  regret  I  have  but  one  life 
to  give  for  my  country." 

A  British  officer  thus  writes  home  from  Camp  on  N.  Y.  Island, 
Sep.  23,  '76,  "  yesterday  we  hanged  an  officer  of  the  Provincials  who 
came  as  a  spy. "  Mid.  (  London  )  Jour. 

Jas.  Drewett,  on  board  British  frigate  Mercury  at  N.  Y.  writes,  Sep. 
25,  '76,  "  On  the  22d  we  hung  a  man  who  was  sent  as  spy  by  Gen.  Wash- 
ington. "  Mid.  (  London  )  Jour. 

An  American  officer  thus  writes  from  Camp  at  Harlem,  Sep.  26, '76, 
"  One  Hale,  in  N.  Y.,  on  suspicion  of  being  a  spy,  was  taken  up  and 
dragged  without  ceremony  to  the  Execution  Post  and  hung  up.  " 

[  Hale, 'tis  said,  had  his  examination  in  the  Green  House  (  still  stand- 
ing )  of  the  Beekman  Mansion,  Howe's  Head  Quarters,  near  Turtle 
Bay,  and  three  miles  from  the  City  Hall.  The  precise  spot  of  his  Exe- 
cution cannot  be  pointed  out.. — Ed.] 

Local  Traditions  in  Queens  County. 
Sol.  Wooden  said  he  remembered  the  capture  of  Hale  as  if  it  were 
yesterday.  Wooden  was  a  ship  builder  at  Oyster  Bay  2  or  3  miles  from 
the  scene  of  Hale's  capture;  and  as  he  built  boats  for  the  British,  and 
was  in  constant  intercourse  with  them,  he  heard  the  story  from  the 
very  crew  that  captured  Hale.  Hale  was  set  over  from  Conn,  to  L.  I. 
near  Oyster  Bay,  by  an  American  boat  that  was  to  return  for  him  on  a 
set  day.  He  gave  out  that  he  was  disgusted  with  the  rebel  cause, 
and  had  deserted,  but  did  not  wish  to  enlist,  and  would  like  a  school. 
Hejourneyed  on  to  N.  Y.  city,  where  having  obtained  all  possible  infor- 
mation, he  returned  by  L.  I.,  making  his  way  through  the  woods  till  he 
arrived  at  the  shore  about  Huntington  or  Oyster  Bay.  Early  in  the 
morning  he  went  out  to  reconnoitre,  when  he  saw  a  boat  rowing  to  the 
shore.  He  'did  not  see  the  frigate  Halifax,  Capt.  Quarme,  to  which  the 
boat  belonged,  and  which  had  come  ashore  for  water.    Ferhaps  the 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


53 


frigate  was  hid  by  the  fog  or  an  intervening  point  of  land.  Hale  mis- 
taking this  for  a  friendly  boat  walked  deliberately  down  to  the  water  side. 
As  the  boat  struck  the  shore  he  discovered  his  mistake  and  retraced  his 
steps.  He  was  ordered  to  stop  !  On  looking  over  his  shoulder  he  saw 
the  whole  crew  standing  up  with  their  guns  levelled  at  him.  Escape 
was  impossible  ;  he  was  ordered  on  board  and  his  papers  showed  what 
he  was.  He  was  taken  to  N.  Y.  in  the  boat  of  the  Halifax,  and  execu- 
ted on  an  apple  tree  in  Col.  Rutgers'  orchard. — Thompson. 

[  See  also  Queens  Co.,  Sec.  368,  for  an  account  of  his  execu- 
tion.— Ed.  ] 

Robert  Townsend  of  Oyster  Bay,  who  died  some  years  ago  aged  85, 
used  to  say  he  had  heard  Capt.  Quarme,  of  a  British  armed  vessel  which 
was  lying  in  the  Sound  near  Huntington  at  the  time  of  Hale's  capture, 
say  that  a  boat's  crew  belonging  to  his  vessel  being  ashore  on  L.  I.,  a  lit- 
tle east  of  Huntington  Harbor,  was  mistaken  by  Hale  for  people  from 
the  other  side  of  the  Sound,  and  thus  he  committed  himself  before  he 
was  aware  of  his  mistake  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies  ;  and  that 
when  he  found  what  a  fine  fellow  he  was,  he  was  sorry  he  had  fallen 
into  his  power. 

Win.  Ludlam,now  living,  aged  87,  says  "he  heard  that  one  of  Capt. 
Quarme's  boats  took  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hale  somewhere  near  Hunt- 
ington Harbor,  and  then  the  man  was  taken  to  N.  Y.,  and  that  was  all 
he  ever  heard  of  him." 

The  death  of  Hale  has  been  the  subject  of  a  Novel,  by  J.  R. 
Simms.    His  life  may  be  found  in  Thompson. 

608.  Saybrook,  Sep.  12,  '76. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  have  just  time  to  tell  you,  I  have  been  ob- 
liged to  retreat  from  L.  I.  to  this  place  for  several  reasons,  that  I 
have  not  now  time  to  mention.  I  have  given  Gen.  Washington  a 
particular  account  by  the  same  conveyance  this  is  sent  by.  I  shall 
to-morrow,  at  the  head  of  400  men,  set  out  for  Huntington  ;  if  I 
succeed  in  the  attempt  I  am  going  to  make,  I  shall  yet  save  Suffolk 
Col,  though  most  of  the  inhabitants  have  been  prevailed  upon  to  take 
an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  through  a  persua- 
sion that  the  Island  was  given  up  as  indefensible.  Gov.  Trumbull 
has  assisted  me  with  260  men. 

HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 

Robt.  R.  LrviNGSTON,  Jr. 

609.  The  towns  of  South  and  East  Hampton  send  a  letter  to 
Howe  (to  avoid  the  imputation  of  being  concerned  with  the  Conn. 


54 


SUBMISSION  OF 


whale-boats)  that  some  arms  taken  from  the  people  of  East  Hamp- 
ton, by  order  of  Col.  Gardiner  in  the  King's  name,  had  been  retaken 
by  the  subjects  of  the  States.  Howel,  the  bearer,  was  caught  by 
Col.  Livingston.  Before  Sep.  17,  '76.    Cor.  401. 

610.  Saybrodk,  Sep.  24,  '76.  Last  Friday  a  party  from  Lt.  Col. 
Livingston's  detachment  was  put  under  command  of  Capt.  Dan'l 
Roe,  to  go  from  Saybrook  to  B.  Haven,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing 
off  Roe's  family,  and  a  no.  of  others.  On  Friday  night  12  o'clock, 
the  Capt.  left  the  sloop  at  Brook  H.,  taking  14  men  with  him  to  as- 
sist in  bringing  down  the  family,  leaving  14  under  Lt.  Geo.  Smith 
on  board,  to  guard  the  vessel.  He  pressed  teams  as  he  went  to 
bring  down  the  goods,  not  being  able  to  procure  them  by  other 
means.  At  9  A.  M.,just  as  he  was  ready  to  return,  he  was  inform- 
ed by  one  of  the  guards  that  Richard  Miller  of  B.  Haven,  a  young 
gentleman  of  family  and  fortune,  but  a  notorious  enemy  to  his  country 
(who  had  arms  concealed  at  his  house),  was  passing  his  house  ;  upon 
which  R.  ordered  his  men  to  hail  him,  and  if  he  refused  to  stop,  to 
fire  on  him.  He  was  hailed  3  times,  upon  which  he  stopped,  and  5  men 
with  their  pieces  presented  told  him  they  would  instantly  kill  him  if 
he  attempted  to  stir.  He  stood  and  viewed  them  half  a  minute, 
then  discharged  a  pistol  at  them,  and  rode  off  with  the  utmost  expe- 
dition, on  which  he  was  several  times  ordered  to  stop,  but  he  refu- 
sing, five  guns  were  separately  fired  at  him,  from  the  last  of  which 
a  ball  was  shot  through  his  body,  upon  which  he  dismounted  and 
was  carried  into  Capt.  Roe's  house,  and  left  in  care  of  a  no.  of  the 
inhabitants.  Capt.  R.  being  informed  that  one  Jacob  Smith,  who 
was  in  conjunction  with  Miller,  and  not  far  distant  when  he  was  taken, 
had  collected  a  party  of  several,  and  were  endeavoring  to  surround  and 
take  him,  thought  it  prudent  to  retreat  on  board  his  vessel,  where  he 
had  but  just  time  to  arrive  with  his  wife  and  family,  being  obliged  to 
leave  all  his  effects  behind. 

Miller  and  Smith  had  received  commissions  under  the  King  of 
G.  Britain,  and  had  been  raising  men,  pressing  horses  and  wagons, 
together  with  persons  to  drive  them,  to  assist  Howe  in  removing  his 
baggage.  They  had  likewise  taken  fat  cattle  from  the  inhabitants, 
and  obliged  them  to  drive  them  to  the  Ministerial  Army. 

Conn.  Courant,  Sep.  30,  '76. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


55 


611.  This  is  to  certify  that  Ensign  Sam'l  Glover  is  authorized  to 
enlist  men  to  join  my  company  to  complete  a  Bat.  in  His  Majesty's 
service,  for  the  defence  of  the  liberty  of  America. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Brookhaven,  Sep.  22d,  1776. 

JACOB  SMITH. 

612.  iV.  F.,  Sep.  27,  '76. 
Sir  : — You  are  to  desire  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  to  summon  the 

farmers  of  their  Districts  to  attend  at  some  central  place,  to  demand  of 
each,  what  grain  and  straw  he  can  spare — as  to  hay  we  must  have  the 
whole,  for  which  you'll  give  them  proper  Certificates  to  me  to  pay  them 
by.  The  whole  of  the  grain  and  forage  of  Rebels  in  arms  is  to  be  seized 
for  the  King's  use.  All  persons  removed  off  are  to  be  deemed  Rebels, 
and  dealt  with  accordingly. 

JOHN  MORRISON, 

Commissary  of  Forage. 

To  Mr.  E.  Punderson. 

613.  Copy  of  a  blank  order  left  with  the  Inhabitants  of  Suffolk  Co. 

L.  J.,  Sep.  1776. 
You  are  hereby  ordered  to  preserve  for  the  King's  use     loads  of 
hay,       bushels  of  wheat,       of  oats,       of  rye,       of  barley, 
of  Indian  corn,  and  all  your  wheat  and  rye  straw ;  and  not  to  dispose 
of  the  same,  but  to  my  order  in  writing,  as  you  will  answer  the  con- 
trary at  your  peril. 

JOHN  MORRISON, 
Major,  and  Commissary  of  Forage. 

614.  In  pursuance  of  his  Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief's 
orders  to  me,  you  are  hereby  directed  to  take  into  your  custody  all  the 
grain,  forage,  and  creatures  you  can  find  on  L.  I.,  being  the  property 
of  persons  in  actual  rebellion,  or  who  have  deserted  their  habitations, 
and  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  rebels,  taking  an  exact 
account  of  what  is  so  seized  :  and  report  frequently  to  John  Morrison, 
respecting  grain  and  forage,  and  to  Jas.  Christie,  respecting  creatures. 
In  execution  of  this  duty  you  are  to  employ  such  persons  as  you  think 
proper,  who  will  apply  to  His  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  to  impress 
boats,  wagons,  horses,  drivers,  mills,  barns  and  what  other  conveniences 
you  may  require  for  the  benefit  of  His  Majesty's  service  :  and  all  officers 
civil  and  military,  are  hereby  required  to  give  you  their  aid.  For  do- 
ing all  which  this  shall  be  a  sufficient  warrant.    Oct.  1,  1776. 

DAN'L  CHAMIER,  Com.  Gen. 


56 


SUBMISSION  OF 


Jamaica,  Oct.  2,  1776. 

To  John  Hewlett,  Esq  ,  L.  I. 

You  are  to  use  your  utmost  endeavors  to  bring  me  cattle  and  sheep 
for  the  army  ;  when  delivered  a  receipt  will  be  given,  to  be  paid  at  a 
certain  time  and  place.  If  any  butcher  or  others  interfere  with  you  un- 
der pretence  of  bringing  them  to  me,  without  a  written  order  from  me, 
seize  their  cattle,  put  a  fair  value  on  them,  and  drive  them  to  me,  and 
the  owners  shall  be  paid  ;  also  seize  all  sheep  and  cattle  of  rebels  who 
have  left  their  habitations,  and  employ  proper  people  to  assist  you.  For 
doing  whereof,  this  shall  be  your  warrant. 

JAS.  CHRISTIE,  Com.  for  cattle  and  sheep. 

615.  Lt.  Col.  H.  B.  Livingston  sends  the  N.  Y.  Convention  from 
Saybrook,  Oct.  16,  '76,  the  paroles  of  Col.  Fanning,  Major  Conldin, 
and  Geo.  Howel,  of  L.  I.,  disaffected  to  the  freedom  of  this  country. 
Col.  F.,  a  man  of  influence,  was  apprehended  for  procuring  and 
driving  cattle  to  Gen.  Howe's  Army.  He  has  also  acted  as  Col.  (by 
virtue  of  an  old  commission  from  Geo.  3d)  in  calling  the  people  of 
Southold  together  to  see  whether  they  would  take  the  oath  of  allegi- 
ance. Cor.  349. 

Brookhaven,  Oct.  18,  '76. 

616.  Sir  : — In  consequence  of  instructions  I  have  just  received 
from  head-quarters,  you  are  forthwith  to  impress  wagons  and  horses 
for  his  Majesty's  service.  The  number  is  unlimited ;  therefore  do 
not  stint  the  cause.  If  you  can't  get  a  sufficient  number  of  wagons, 
teams  will  answer — a  driver  for  every  team,  which  you'll  send  with- 
out loss  of  time  to  White  Stone,  near  Flushing.  I  beg,  Sir,  you'll 
exert  yourself  on  this  occasion.  Don't  omit  one  moment,  as  it  seems 
to  be  critical. 

JACOB  SMITH,  Capt.  1st  Comp.,  1st  Bat., 
Delancey's  Brigade. 

To  Sam'l  Glover. 

617.  About  Nov.  1,  '76,  Sam'l  Glover,  a  notorious  offender,  was 
taken  at  Mastic,  on  whom  were  found  papers  611  and  616.  He 
broke  jail  at  N.  London  on  the  night  of  Feb.  1,  '77,  and  escaped. 
$8  reward  offered. — Con.  Gaz.,  Feb.  14,  '77. 

618.  Jos.  Greene,  Major  1st  Bat.,  writes  from  Hempstead,  Oct. 
22,  '76,  to  Capt.  Smith,  quartered  at  Setauket,  to  collect  and  drive 
in  all  rebel  horses  in  Suffolk  Co.  Smith's  Lieutenant,  French,  had 
brought  2  prisoners  to  Greene. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


57 


To  the  Right  Honorable  RICHARD,  LORD  VIS- 
COUNT  HOWE,  of  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland,  and  his 
Excellency  WILLIAM  HOWE,  Esquire,  General 
of  His  Majesty' s  forces  in  America,  the  King's  Com- 
missioners for  restoring  peace  to  His  Majesty' 's  Colo- 
nies in  North  America. 
Your  Excellencies,  by  your  Declaration  bearing  date  July  14, 
1776,  were  pleased  to  signifv*that  "the  King  is  desirous  to  deli- 
ver His  American  subjects  from  the  calamities  of  war,  and  other  op- 
pressions which  they  now  undergo ;  and  to  restore  the  Colonies  to 
His  protection  and  peace ;"  and,  by  a  subsequent  Declaration  dated 
Sep.  19,  177G,  having  also  been  pleased  to  express  your  desire  "to 
confer  with  His  Majesty's  well  affected  subjects  upon  the  means  of 
restoring  the  public  tranquillity,  and  establishing  a  permanent  union 
with  every  Colony  as  a  part  of  the  British  Empire ;"  we,  therefore, 
whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  inhabitants  of  the  county  of 
Suffolk,  on  Nassau  Island,  in  the  Province  of  N.  Y.,  reflecting  with 
the  tenderest  emotions  of  gratitude  on  this  instance  of  His  Majesty's 
paternal  goodness,  and  encouraged  by  the  affectionate  manner  in 
which  His  Majesty's  gracious  purpose  hath  been  conveyed  to  us  by 
your  Excellencies,  who  have  thereby  evinced,  that  humanity  is  in- 
separable from  that  true  magnanimity  and  those  enlarged  sentiments 
which  form  the  most  shining  characters,  beg  leave  to  represent  to 
your  Excellencies, 

That  we  bear  true  allegiance  to  our  rightful  Sovereign  Geo. 
the  Third,  as  well  as  warm  affection  to  his  sacred  person,  crown  and 
dignity  ;  That  we  esteem  the  constitutional  supremacy  of  Great  Bri- 
tain bver  these  Colonies  and  other  depending  parts  of  His  Majesty's 
dominions,  as  essential  to  the  union,  security,  and  welfare  of  the 
whole  empire ;  and  sincerely  lament  the  interruption  of  that  harmony 
which  formerly  subsisted  between  the  parent  state  and  these  her 
Colonies. 

That  many  of  the  loyal  inhabitants  have  been  driven  away  by 
the  calamities  of  war  and  the  spirit  of  persecution  which  lately  pre- 
vailed, or  sent  prisoners  to  New  England  and  other  distant  parts. 

We,  therefore,  hoping  that  the  sufferings  which  our  fellow- 
inhabitants  undergo  for  their  attachment  to  the  Royal  cause,  may 
plead  in  their  behalf,  humbly  pray,  that  your  Excellencies  would  be 


58 


SUBMISSION  OF 


pleased  to  restore  this  county  to  His  Majesty's  protection  and 
peace. 

Suffolk  Co.,  Oct.  — ,  1776. 
Signed  by  614  persons. 

To  His  Excellency  Wm.  Tryon,  Esq.,  Cajpt.  Gen.  and 
Governor-in-  Chief  in  and  over  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  and  the  Territories  defending  thereon  in  Ame- 
rica, Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency  :  We  the  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
ty of  Suffolk,  beg  leave  to  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  your 
return  to  the  capital  of  your  government,  and  to  assure  you,  that  we 
feel  the  sincerest  joy  on  this  happy  event,  which  opens  a  prospect 
that  we  shall  once  more  experience  the  blessings  of  peace  and  se- 
curity under  His  Majesty's  auspicious  government  and  protection — 
blessings  which  we  formerly  enjoyed  under  your  Excellency's  mild 
administration,  and  which  we  ardently  wish  to  have  renewed :  per- 
severing in  our  loyalty  and  unshaken  attachment  to  our  gracious 
Sovereign  in  this  time  of  distress  and  trial,  and  anxious  to  testify 
our  affection  for  Him,  we  have  embraced  the  earliest  opportunity  to 
petition  the  King's  Commissioners  that  they  would  restore  this  Coun- 
ty to  His  Majesty's  peace,  although  many  of  the  most  respectable 
inhabitants  and  a  much  greater  number  of  the  inferior  classes  have 
been  driven  off  by  the  calamities  of  war,  or  sent  prisoners  to  New 
England  or  other  distant  parts,  yet  we  hope  the  number  still  remain- 
ing, and  who  have  voluntarily  subscribed,  may  be  deemed  sufficient 
to  entitle  this  district  to  His  Majesty's  grace,  whilst  the  sufferings 
which  our  absent  fellow-citizens  undergo  for  the  royal  cause,  plead 
in  their  behalf  with  the  Commissioners, — from  whose  well  known 
humanity,  benevolence  and  enlarged  sentiments,  we  have  the  most 
flattering  expectations.  Nov.  28,  1776. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  by 

RICHARD  FLOYD, 
THOMAS  FANNING, 
FRED'K  HUDSON. 
New-York,  Dec.  2,  '76. 
Gentlemen  : — Agreeable  to  the  request  in  the  address  delivered 
to  me  by  you,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  Suffolk  Co.,  I  have  pre- 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


59 


sented  their  very  dutiful  and  loyal  petition  and  representation  to  His 
Excellency  Gen.  HOWE,  one  of  the  King's  Commissioners  for  re- 
storing peace  to  His  Majesty's  Colonies,  who  was  pleased  to  say  : 
"  He  would  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  communicating  with 
Lord  HOWE  on  the  occasion."  Every  public  testimony  of  loyalty 
to  our  most  Gracious  Sovereign,  and  attachment  to  the  British  Con- 
stitution, is  at  this  season  particularly  commendable,  and  the  inhab- 
itants of  Suffolk  Co.  may  be  assured  of  my  good  wishes  for  the 
completion  of  their  desires,  as^  expressed  in  their  petition  and  repre- 
sentation, the  granting  of  which  is  happily  committed  to  the  wisdom 
and  discretion  of  His  Majesty's  Commissioners. 

I  am,  with  regard,  Gentlemen. 

Your  most  ob't  servant, 

WM.  TRYON. 

To  Major  Richard  Floyd, 
Mr.  Tho's  Fanning, 
Mr.  Frederick  Hudson, 

of  Suffolk  Co. 

A  copy  of  what  was  sent  through  Suffolk  Co.  by  order  of 
Gov.  Try  on. 

620.  The  Governor  of  the  Province  recommends  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Suffolk  Co.,  the  following  measures,  as  the  best  means  for 
those  who  have  been  active  in  the  rebellion,  to  preserve  their  lives 
and  estates,  viz.  that  all  offensive  arms,  indiscriminately,  be  forth- 
with collected,  in  each  manor,  township  and  precinct,  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  deliver  them  up  at  head-quarters,  to  the  Commander-in- 
chief  of  the  King's  troops. 

That  those  who  have  been  active  in  the  rebellion,  if  fit  to  bear 
arms,  forthwith  to  wait  on  the  Gen'l,  and  enlist  in  the  regular  ser- 
vice for  the  term  of  the  present  war  ;  if  not  fit  to  bear  arms,  to  send 
one  of  their  sons  to  enlist  in  their  stead  ;  if  no  sons,  then  to  perform 
some  unasked  signal  service,  that  may  merit  the  protection  of  Gov't. 
The  inhabitants  of  each  town  to  associate,  to  prevent  any  person  go- 
ing to  the  Main,  and  secure  those  coming  thence ;  and  to  secure  and 
deliver  up  all  persons  known  to  be  active  enemies  to  the  rights  of 
the  Constitution. 

And  the  several  townships  to  furnish  as  many  men  as  possible 


60 


SUBMISSION  OF 


fit  to  bear  arms,  to  invite  those  back  who  have  fled  from  the  county, 
to  enlist  in  Gen.  Delancey's  brigade.  And  lastly,  thei  nhabitants  to 
send  all  the  wood,  forage,  and  provisions  they  can  spare,  to  N.  Y. 
market  or  such  place  as  the  Gen'l  shall  order. 

[Can  the  above  (taken  from  a  NewT  Haven  paper)  be  genuine  ? 
—Ed.] 

The  County  Committees  and  Committees  of  Townships  of  Suf- 
folk Co.,  meet  respectively  as  soon  as  possible,  by  the  Governor's 
permission,  for  the  purpose  of  revoking  all  their  proceedings  under 
the  Congress,  and  formally  to  dissolve  their  unlawful  associations  : 
the  County  having  now  submitted  to  the  King,  his  laws  and  Gov't. 

WM.  TRYON. 

Note. — When  the  above  is  accomplished,  the  Gov'r  will  review 
the  militia. 

N.  Y.  Gaz.,  Nov.  11,  '76.  The  following  declarations  from  the 
Committees  of  Suffolk  and  from  all  the  Town  Corn's  were  delivered 
to  His  Ex.  Gov.  Tryon  on  Thursday  last,  by  Major  Richard  Floyd 
and  Mr.  Tho's  Fanning,  who  were  deputed  by  the  inhabitants  to  pre- 
sent the  same. 

Huntington,  Oct.  21/76. 

The  Committee  of  Huntington,  being  thoroughly  convinced  of  the 
injurious  and  inimical  tendency  of  our  former  meetings  and  resolutions, 
and  willing  to  manifest  our  hearty  disapprobation  of  all  such  illegal 
measures,  do  hereby  dissolve  this  committee,  and  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  re- 
voke and  disannul  all  former  orders  and  resolutions  of  all  committees  and 
Congresses  whatsoever,  as  being  undutiful  to  our  lawful  Sovereign,  re- 
pugnant to  the  principles  of  the  British  Constitution,  and  ruinous  in  the 
extreme,  to  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  this  country. 

JBrookhaven,  Oct.  24,  1776. 

We  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  being  assembled  by 
permission  of  His  Ex.  the  Hon.  Wm.  Tryon,  Esq.,  Gov.  of  N.  Y.,  and 
the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  do  hereby  dissolve  our- 
selves, and  do  disclaim  and  reject  the  orders  of  Congress  and  Corn's  ; 
and  totally  refusing  obedience  to  them  ;  revoking  all  our  proceedings 
under  the  Congress,  and  being  desirous  to  obey  the  legal  authority  of 
Gov't,  rely  upon  your  Excellency's  clemency,  hoping  that  you  will  pass 
by  our  former  conduct,  and  be  graciously  pleased  to  protect  us,  agreea- 
bly to  the  laws  of  the  Province.    Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

JOHN  BRUSH,  Ch'n. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


61 


Declarations  of  Smiihtown  (Oct.  19),  of  Southold  (Oct.  25),  of 
South  Hampton  and  of  East  Hampton  (Oct.  21),  were  in  like  words. 

Nov.  28,  '76.  The  Dissolution  of  the  Committee  of  Suffolk  Co, 
and  the  Committees  of  the  several  townships,  with  the  revocation 
of  all  their  proceedings  and  orders  under  the  Congress,  was  ef- 
fected by  my  particular  recommendation. 

TRYON. 


4 


PART  III. 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF  SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

621.  Oct.  28,  '76.  Gov.  Trumbull  directs  6  R.  I.  whale-boats, 
with  36  men  under  Cols.  Livingston  and  Richmond,  with  Lt.  Geo. 
Smith,  Caleb  Brewster,  and  D.  Roe  (best  acquainted  with  the  situa- 
tion of  places),  to  take  three  transports  and  make  the  best  of  their 
way  to  Southold  Bay,  to  Canoe  Place ;  thence  across  into  South 
Bay  up  as  far  as  Mastic,  and  bring  off  the  effects  of  Col.  Floyd  and 
others  of  our  friends,  and  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

Instead  of  this  they,  captured  2  sloops  (Princess  Mary  and  Lily), 
loading  with  wood  by  order  of  Capt.  Smith,  for  Gen.  Howe,  and 
lying  at  the  dock,  head  of  Brookhaven  Harbor.  They  also  surprised 
Capt.  Smith  and  part  of  his  company,  but  declined  marching  to 
Smithtown,  to  attack  the  rest  of  Delancey's  Brigade  stationed 
there. 

IV.  Haven,  Xov.  6,  '76.  A  few  nights  since,  between  300  and  400 
troops  from  Rhode  Island  crossed  the  Sound  and  landed  near  Setauket, 
where  they  engaged  a  party  of  the  troops  newly  enlisted  into  Gen. 
Howe's  army,  commanded  by  one  Smith  ;  5  or  6  of  his  men  were  killed 
in  the  action,  and  himself  and  23  of  his  company  made  prisoners,  who 
were  brought  off,  with  75  excellent  muskets.  The  prisoners  are  a  mot- 
ley herd,  half  being  negroes  and  Indians.  Of  the  R.  I.  troops  one  was 
killed  and  one  wounded. 

N.  London,  Nov.  8,  '76.  A  number  of  troops  from  R.  I.,  E.  End  of 
L.  I.  and  Con't,  embarked  at  New  Haven  and  landed  at  Setauket,  on 
L.  I.,  with  a  view  of  bringing  off  some  tories,  and  the  effects  of  a  gen- 
tleman friendly  to  the  American  cause  ;  being  interrupted  by  some  tories, 
who  fired  upon  them,  they  killed  10,  and  brought  off  23  ;  two  of  the 
latter,  deserters  from  our  army.  A  sergeant  in  our  party  was  killed  in 
the  contest. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


63 


622.  Nod.  9,  ?76.  Benj.  Birdsall,  Thos.  Brush,  and  Carll 
Kotcham,  rec'd  from  Convention  £10.  1.  6.  for  guarding  and  con- 
veying, from  Norwich  to  Fishkiil,  2  prisoners,  (brought  from  L.  I.) 

Jour.  708. 

623.  JYor.  23,  ;76.  Thos.  Wicks  and  Eliph.  Brush  received  of 
Convention  at  Fishkiil  £4.  16.  for  conveying  counterfeiters  to  X. 
Y.  in  May  and  June  last.  [Wicks  had  removed  to  Saybrook,  before 
Nov.  15.  He  also  received  £4  for  riding  express  to  Albany  with 
letters  from  Head-Quarters.    (See  542.)  Jour.  714. 

624.  Xeic  London.  Jan.  3,  '77.  Several  transports  belonging  to 
the  ministerial  fleet,  are  loading  with  wood  at  the  east  end  of  L.  I., 
under  guard  of  some  men-of-war.  ;Tis  said  the  inhabitants  have 
suffered  much  from  the  soldiers,  who  rob  them  of  their  effects. 

625.  There  are  two  companies  of  Tories  stationed  at  Hunting- 
ton, but  not  a  man  E.  of  there  :  also,  about  10  or  a  doz.  regular  offi- 
cers, without  any  men.  They  are  billeted  on  the  inhabitants,  all  of 
them  without  pay,  and  have  plundered,  stole,  and  destroyed  to  such 
a  decree,  that  the  inhabitants  must  unavoidably  starve  in  a  little  time, 
for  want  of  food.  Sundry  of  the  principal  men  have  been  beaten  in 
an  unheard  of  manner  for  not  complying  with  their  unrighteous  re- 
quests, particularly  good  Dr.  Piatt  and  Mr.  John  Brash.  The  Meet- 
ing-House  made  a  storehouse  of,  no  public  icorship  alloiced  of.  and 
the  good  people  assembled  5  miles  out  of  town,  at  West  Hills — they 
(British)  followed  them,  and  broke  up  their  assembling  together  any 
more.    Gaine.  Feb.  17,  77. 

Tn"*77  the  British  troops  at  Huntington  took  possession  of  the 
church,  tore  up  the  seats  and  used  it  as  a  depot  for  military  stores.  The 
bell  was  carried  on  board  a  British  ship,  but  restored  afterwards,  so  in- 
jured that  it  was  recast.  Prime. 

626.  JY.  London,  March  14,  ?77.  Last  Sunday  the  British  Fleet 
took  from  John  Brown,  on  Fisher's  Island,  106  sheep,  8  oxen,  11 
cows,  22  yearlings,  26  swine,  24  turkies,  48  fowls,  123  bushels  corn, 
100  do.  potatoes,  5^  tons  pressed  hay,  and  3  cords  wood.  Also,  a 
barrel  of  pork  out  of  the  cellar,  blankets,  sheets,  and  shot  some  sheep. 
Stock  chiefly  paid  for.  There  are  20  ships  at  anchor  in  Gardiner's 
Bay. 


64 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


627.  One  night,  week  before  last,  a  party  of  rebels  came  over 
from  Con't  to  the  house  of  Solomon  Smith,  of  Smithtown,  and 
robbed  him  of  all  the  clothing  of  his  family  and  some  household  fur- 
niture. On  their  return,  the  boat  overset,  and  'tis  supposed  the  whole 
party  perished,  as  the  boat  and  some  dead  bodies  were  found  on  the 
shore  near  Mr.  Smith's  within  a  day  or  two  afterwards.  Gaine,  Ap. 
7,  '77. 

628.  E.  Dayton,  under  Capt.  John  Clark,  by  order  of  Putnam, 
seized  (Ap.  '77),  a  wagon  and  goods  on  L.  I.  the  property  of  Oba. 
Wright,  of  Saybrook. 

629.  Levi  Allen  (brother  of  Ethan)  posted  at  Mrs.  Hubbard's, 
in  Mattituck,  some  counterfeit  bills  (as  a  warning  to  the  public)  ; 
gave  one  to  Rufus  Tuthill,  at  Oyster  Pond,  and  one  to  John  Brown, 
on  Fisher's  Island     N.  London,  May  2,  '77. 

630.  Wm.  Smith,  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  was  ex- 
cused, May  4,  '77,  from  acting,  as  he  has  a  family  and  estate  on  L. 
I.  in  the  power  of  the  enemy.  Jour.  911. 

Parsons  to  Tmmhull,  N.  Haven,  May,  25,  '77. 

631.  I  sincerely  congratulate  your  honor  on  the  success  of  our 
arms  on  L.  I.  Col.  Meigs  left  Sachem's  Head  on  Friday  at  1  P. 
M.,  with  160  men,  and  landed  within  3  miles  of  Sag  H.  at  about  one 
the  night  following ;  and  having  made  the  proper  dispositions  for 
attacking  the  enemy  in  5  different  places,  proceeded  with  the  greatest 
order  and  silence  till  within  20  rods  of  the  enemy,  when  they  rushed 
with  fixed  bayonets  upon  the  different  barracks,  guards,  and  quarters 
of  the  enemy  :  whilst  Capt.  Troop,  with  a  party  under  his  command, 
at  the  same  time  took  possession  of  the  wharves  and  vessels  lying 
there.  The  alarm  soon  became  general,  and  an  incessant  fire  of 
grape  and  round  shot  was  kept  up  from  an  armed  schooner  of  12 
guns,  which  lay  within  120  yds.  of  the  wharves,  for  near  an  hour; 
notwithstanding  which  the  party  burnt  all  the  vessels  at  the  wharf, 
killed  and  captivated  all  the  men  belonging  to  them,  destroyed  about 
100  tons  of  hay,  large  quantities  of  grain,  10  hhds.  of  rum,  and 
other  W.  India  goods,  and  secured  all  the  soldiers  who  were  there 
stationed.  90  prisoners,  among  them  Mr.  Chew  and  Mr.  Bell — not 
a  man  killed  or  wounded  on  our  side.  The  officers  and  men  behaved 
with  the  greatest  order  and  bravery.    N.  London,  May  30,  '77. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


65 


Guilford,  May  29,  '77. 

Gen.  Parsons  having  received  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were  col- 
lecting large  quantities  of  forage  at  Sag  Harbor,  on  L.  I.;  last  Friday,  23d, 
about  200  of  the  Continental  troops,  who  had  previously  rendezvous'd  at 
Sachem's  Head,  in  Guilford,  embarked  on  board  a  number  of  whale- 
boats,  commanded  by  Lt.  Col.  Meigs,  to  destroy  it.  At  about  6  o'clock, 
afternoon,  they  arrived  at  the  beach  (Southold),  this  side  of  Plumgut,  and 
transported  their  boats  about  50  rods  over  the  beach,  when  they  again 
embarked,  and  landed  within  4  miles  of  Sag  Harbor,  where,  (after  leav- 
ing a  suitable  guard  to  protect  the  boats  hid  in  the  woods,)  they  marched 
with  such  secrecy  as  not  to  be  discovered  till  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
sentry.  They  soon  set  about  destroying  the  forage,  &c.  As  the  enemy 
stationed  there,  were  entirely  off  their  guard,  our  troops  met  with  little 
opposition.  An  armed  schooner  of  12  guns,  which  lay  not  far  from  the 
shore,  kept  an  incessant  fire  on  them,  but  happily  did  no  damage.  Our 
people  returned  the  fire  with  their  small  arms,  but  whether  with  effect  is 
not  known ;  5  or  six  of  the  enemy  on  shore  were  destroyed,  and  three 
or  4  made  their  escape — the  others  were  made  prisoners.  Our  people 
set  fire  to  the  hay  (about  100  tons),  which  was  on  board  transports, and 
on  the  wharves,  which  was  entirely  destroyed,  with  10  transport  ves- 
sels, mostly  sloops  and  schooners,  and  one  armed  vessel  of  6  or  8  guns, 
2  or  3  hogsheads  of  rum,  &c.  Our  troops  are  all  returned,  having  per- 
formed their  expedition  in  24  hours.  [The  enemy's  troops  on  this  part 
of  the  Island  had  marched  to  New  York  two  days  before,  but  it  was 
reported  a  party  was  at  Sag  Harbor.]    Sparks,  IV.  441. 

Prisoners  Taken. 

One  Capt.,  2  Commissaries,  (one,  Jos.  Chew,  formerly  of  N.  Lon- 
don), 3  Sergeants,  53  Privates,  10  Masters  of  transports,  27  Seamen  ; 
total,  90.    Our  people  brought  off  fifty  muskets.    [See  Prime,  210  ] 

632.  [May  28,  '77.  Col.  Smith  and  Rev.  Mr.  Hart,  were  brought  to 
the  Provost  where  Hart  fell  sick,  and  lay  at  death's  door.  Col.  Ethan 
Allen  kneeled  down  and  made  so  fervent  a  prayer  by  his  side,  and  oth- 
erwise cheered  him  up,  that  he  recovered  and  was  admitted  on  parole  in 
New- York  City,  Oct.  25.— Ed.} 

633.  David  Hawley,  in  the  Schuyler,  took  the  sloop  Peggy,  Chas. 
Thomas,  master,  and  sloop  Ann,  Ezekiel  Bishop,  master.  Aug.  10,  '77. 

634.  Aug.  25.  '77,  "Last  Friday,  Gen.  Parsons  landed  500  men 
from  3  Privateers  at  Setauket  with  several  pieces  of  brass  cannon, 
and  summoned  the  small  Fort  there  to  surrender.  The  Commander, 
Col.  Hewlett,  desired  one  hour  to  consider  of  the  matter,  when  he 


66 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


was  allowed  only  10  minutes.  His  answer  was,  '  he  would  defend 
the  Fort  for  his  Majesty  King  George  the  3d,  as  long  as  he  had  a 
man  alive;'  when  a  smart  fire  immediately  ensued;  but  the  rebels 
were  soon  obliged  to  embark,  several  of  them  being  killed  and 
wounded,  as  much  blood  was  seen  in  their  encampment  after  they 
went  away.  We  had  1  killed  and  2  or  3  wounded.  On  this  occa- 
sion the  militia  of  Queens  Co.  turned  out  in  order  to  support  the 
Royal  cause,  but  the  Rebels  went  off  with  such  precipitation,  that 
the  Militia  were  ordered  to  return  before  they  reached  Setauket." 

Gaine. 

Letters  that  passed  between  the  two  Commanders  on  the  above  occasion. 
Aug.  22. 

Brig.  Gen.  Parsons,  the  Commanding  officer  of  the  troops  of  the 
United  American  Army,  now  investing  the  enemy's  Post  at  Setauket, 
to  prevent  the  effusion  of  human  blood,  requires  the  immediate  sur- 
render of  the  Post ;  the  officers  and  soldiers,  and  those  who  are  under 
their  protection,  shall  be  entitled  to  their  baggage,  and  treated  with  that 
humanity  which  prisoners  are  entitled  to.  Your  answer  is  desired 
in  10  minutes.  I  am  fully  sensible  of  your  condition,  and  as  my 
whole  strength  and  artillery  will  soon  be  here,  if  your  refusal  should 
oblige  to  the  effusion  of  blood  ;  you  must  charge  it  to  your  own  ob- 
stinacy. 

Col.  Hewlett's  compliments  to  Gen.  Parsons,  and  requests  half 
an  hour  to  consult  his  officers  on  the  subject  of  his  summons. 

Gen.  Parsons'  compliments  to  Col.  Hewlett,  and  grants  10  mi- 
nutes only  for  consideration — longer  time  will  not  be  granted. 

Col.  Hewlett  presents  his  compliments  to  Gen.  Parsons,  and  is 
determined  to  defend  the  Fort  while  he  has  a  man  left. 

Gen.  Parsons'  compliments  to  Col.  Hewlett,  and  should  have  been 
happy  to  have  done  himself  the  pleasure  of  paying  him  a  longer 
visit,  but  the  extreme  heat  of  the  weather  prevents  him. 

[Setauket  was  one  of  the  British  outposts.  Col.  Hewlett,  with  Capts. 
Lister,  Hewlett,  Allison,  and  260  men,  was  stationed  here.  As  a  place 
of  resort  in  case  of  attack,  he  inclosed  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  dis- 
tance of  30  ft.  with  an  earthen  mound  6  ft.  high  and  5  ft.  thick  laid  with 
fascines  so  as  to  be  ball-proof.  On  the  top  were  set  pickets  6  ft.  high  and 
3  in.  apart.  Pickets  also  projected  from  the  outer  side  over  the  ditch. 
Two  steps  of  earth  were  made  inside  the  wall  for  the  men  to  rise  on  and 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


67 


fire  their  muskets  between  the  pickets.  A  heavy  double  gate  was  on  the 
South  side.  Four  swivels  were  mounted  at  the  gallery  windows.  The 
Americans  landed  at  Mt.  Misery  from  sloops,  before  daylight.]  It  is  a 
high  hill  3  or  4  miles  N.  E.  from  the  Fort.  Col.  Hewlett  had  set  a 
guard  here  which  gave  the  alarm  and  enabled  the  soldiers,  who  were 
billeted  on  the  inhabitants,  to  escape  into^the  Fort  and  send  off  expresses 
for  help.  Col.  H.  was  quartered  at  Col.  Floyd's,  and  jumped  out  of  his 
bedroom  window  with  clothes  in  hand,  and  by  a  circuitous  route  barely 
reached  the  fort.  The  Americans  advanced  from  the  East,  and  at  5 
A.  M.,  summoned  the  garrison.  Col.  H.  addressed  his  men:  Soldiers! 
Shall  we  surrender  1  No!  was  the  response.  Then  I'll  stick  to  yov. 
as  long  as  there's  a  man  left.  The  Americans'  then  planted  their  artil 
lery  on  a  rock  in  full  view  of  the  church,  300  or  400  yds.  distant,  and 
commenced  the  attack  with  3  pieces.  They  did  not  bring  their  grand 
force  into  action  nor  use  musketry,  but  kept  up  a  brisk  cannonade.  The 
church  was  perforated  with  balls,  and  one  rafter  split  its  whole  length, 
one  man  [Caleb  Brewster  ?]  was  very  active  in  elevating  and  firing  his 
piece.  Chas.  Wilson  (who  was  soon  after  shot  through  the  head)  said, 
I  will  kill  that  red-breeched  man,  and  he  was  a  mark  for  others  ;  but  as 
the  assailants  carried  off  the  fallen,  it  is  not  known  what  became  of  him. 
The  fire  from  the  Fort  was  through  the  pickets  with  small  arms,  but  with 
no  effect,  the  Americans  being  too  far  off.  The  principal  fire  was  from 
the  swivels,  "  and  we  kept  them  warm,"  says  S.  Verity.  Chambers 
Townsend,  of  Duchess  Co.,  was  shot  through  the  body.  Three 
others  were  killed  and  2  or  3  wounded.  Thos.  Pigeon,  Oba.  Verity, 
Wm.  Covert,  and  Tim.  Moore,  of  O.  B.  were  in  the  action.  The  at- 
tack lasted  2  or  3  hours,  when  the  Americans  retreated.  It  was  well 
they  did  ;  had  they  remained  3  hours  longer  they  would  have  been  cut 
off  by  reinforcements  approaching  from  all  parts.  Capt.  Dan'l  Youngs, 
of  O.  Bay,  had  reached  Smithtown,  and  the  ships  of  war  at  Huntington, 
were  under  way.  Six  months  after  this  the  garrison  left,  and  the  Fort 
was  abandoned. — Ed.] 

The  General  desires  particularly  to  express  his  approbation  of  the 
spirited  behavior  and  good  conduct  of  Col.  Hewlett,  and  the  officers 
and  men  under  his  command,  in  the  defence  of  the  redoubt  at  Setau- 
ket  upon  L.  I.,  in  which  Col.  Hewlett  was  attacked  by  a  large  body  of 
the  enemy  with  cannon,  whom  he  jepelled  with  disgrace,  Aug. 
24,  '77. 

STEPHEN  KEMBLE, 

Dep.  Adj.  Gen. 


68 


ARMED  0CCUPAT70N  0? 


635.  $5  Reward  and  charges  paid  by  Thos.  Place,  of  Eastwoods. 
Stolen  or  strayed  from  Widow  Burk's  plantation  at  Long  Swamps7 
Huntington,  a  bay  horse,  a  feather  each  side  of  his  neck,  &c. 

Sep.  22,  '77,  Gaine. 

636.  Gaine,  Dec.  1,  '77.  Last  Sunday  week  a  sloop  from  Hunt- 
ington, bound  to  N.  Y.  with  wood,  was  taken  by  2  whale  boats  full 
of  rebels,  soon  after  she  sailed.  Capt.  Kendal  in  a  small  schooner 
with  2  swivel  guns  being  in  sight,  gave  chase  to  the  whale  boats  and 
plied  them  so  warmly  with  his  little  artillery  that  they  relinquished 
the  prize  and  made  for  the  shore  with  the  greatest  expedition. 

637.  Dec.  22,  '77.  In  exploring  the  territories  of  Zephaniah 
Piatt,  of  Smithtown,  father  to  Sam'l  Broom's  partner,  there  was  found 
snugly  concealed  in  a  barn,  2  whale  boats,  which  were  instantly 
committed  to  the  flames,  and  Mr.  Piatt  in  propria  persona,  secured 
in  custody  of  the  captors,  who  drove  off  the  cattle  and  live  stock 
from  his  farm.  Gaine. 

Zephaniah  Piatt  was  imprisoned  in  N.  Y.,  and  restored  to  liberty 
through  the  personal  application  of  his  daughter  Dorothea  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  ;  but  having  caught  the  small-pox  while  confined,  he  died,  Jan. 
27,  '78.  Thompson,  2.  473. 

638.  Gen.  Parsons  and  Col.  Webb  formed  a  plan  of  descent  on 
L.  I.  to  destroy  timber  and  boards  on  the  E.  end,  prepared  for  bar- 
racks in  N.  Y.,  to  destroy  the  shipping  lying  there  for  wood  for 
Newport,  to  attack  a  Reg.  stationed  8  miles  E.  of  Jamaica,  and  re- 
move or  destroy  whatever  public  stores  could  be  found.  Col.  Meigs 
was  to  land  at  Hempstead  harbor  and  attack  the  Reg.  [at  Herricks  ?} 
near  Jamaica ;  Col.  Webb  to  land  near  Huntington,  to  sustain 
Meigs  and  afford  aid  to  the  eastern  division  under  Parsons.  Meigs 
was  to  cross  from  Sawpits,  but  the  weather  prevented.  The  other  2 
divisions  sailed  from  Norwalk,  Dec.  9,  '77,  at  night.  Col.  Webb 
fell  in  with  the  Falcon,  grounded  and  could  not  land,  as  the  surf  ran 
too  high.  With  Webb,  4  Officers,  20  Continentals  and  40  Militia 
were  taken  prisoners.  Sparks,  V.  211. 

N.  London,  Dec.  19.  A  plan  having  been  formed  to  bring  off  or 
destroy  a  magazine  of  military  stores  which  the  enemy  had  at  Setauket, 
on  L.  I.,  and  to  destroy  some  shipping  loaded  with  timber  at  Southold, 
on  Tuesday  night  of  last  week,  part  of  2  Battalions  of  troops  embarked 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


69 


from  this  State,  under  convoy  of  the  sloop  Schuyler,  and  Spy  and  Mifflin, 
schooners.  Unfortunately  next  morning,  just  before  light,  the  Falkland, 
a  British  Frigate,  in  her  passage  from  N.  Y.  to  Newport,  came  across 
the  Schuyler  and  2  smaller  vessels,  when  the  latter  run  ashore  on  the 
Island,  but  the  former  in  attempting  to  get  in  with  the  land,  run  on  a 
spit  of  sand  (called  Old  Man's)  and  was  taken  with  about  60  troops  on 
board,  among  them  Cols.  Ely,  and  Sam'l  B.^Webb,  &c.  On  Thursday, 
a  party  of  men  under  Capt.  Hart,  marched  to  Southold  and  were  very 
near  making  prisoners  of  Capt.  Ayscbugh  and  upwards  of  20  men  be- 
longing to  the  ship  Swan,  who  were  in  a  house  in  Southold,  but  they 
getting  intelligence  of  Capt.  Hart's  approach  hasted  to  their  boats. 
They  were  closely  pursued,  and  as  they  were  getting  on  board,  were 
fired  upon,  when  most  of  them  were  killed  or  wounded  :  7  marines  and 
seamen  were  made  prisoners.  Our  troops  after  tarrying  several  days  on 
L.  Ly  returned  to  the  Main,  without  opportunity  to  effect  any  thing  con- 
siderable— the  shipping  having  left  Southold,  and  we  learn  the  maga- 
zine at  Setauket  has  been  removed.    Dec.  24,  '77.    Con.  Gaz. 

Riv.  Dec  13,  '77.  Last  Wed.  morning  a  party  of  rebels  landed  at 
Setauket  and  proceeded  to  plunder  the  well-affected  inhabitants,  and  in 
the  afternoon  a  reinforcement  of  troops  was  sent  to  Col.  Hewlett  in  Suf- 
folk Co.  Dec.  20,  we  are  informed  that  the  party  of  200  rebels 
which  were  lately  driven  ashore  in  Suffolk  Co.,  had  not  been  able  to 
get  away,  as,  it  is  said,  through  the  vigilance  of  the  Commanders  of 
His  Majesty's  Ships,  all  the  boats  have  been  secured,  and  the  invaders 
betaken  themselves  to  the  woods.  Major  Greene  marched  on  Thursday 
with  a  reinforcement  of  100  men  ;  and  200  of  the  Hempstead  militia 
are  likewise  gone  down  to  augment  the  advance  body  of  horse  and  foot 
under  Col.  Hewlett  at  Huntington. 

Dec.  15,  '77,  Game.  Three  rebel  sloops  (one  a  Privateer)  made 
their  appearance  off  Setauket  last  Wed.  The  Privateer  was  soon  dri- 
ven ashore  and  taken  by  one  of  His  Majesty's  Ships  at  Old  Man's  (  7 
miles  east )  and  the  crew  with  all  the  rebels  on  board  made  prisoners 
of  war,  consisting  of  64  privates  and  some  officers,  among  them  Cols. 
Webb  and  Ely.  The  same  day  the  other  two  Sloops  run  into  Stony 
Brook  (4  miles  west  of  Setauket)  and  being  unacquainted  got  on  a 
bank.  They  then  landed  two  hundred  men,  who  immediately  marched 
to  Setauket  and  returned  the  same  evening  to  get  off  their  sloop,  but 
their  utmost  efforts  were  ineffectual.  The  next  day  the  whole  body 
went  down  the  Island,  and  about  12  o'clock  passed  Wading  River  (  18 
miles  from  where  they  first  landed). 

4* 


?0  ARMED  OCCUPATION  Of 

Cdl.  Hewlett  with  a  party  of  Gen  Delancey's  Brigade,  Col.  Hamil- 
ton with  a  troop  of  horse  from  Newtown,  and  Capt.  Hewlett  with  his 
troop  of  horse  from  Hempstead,  are  gone  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels,  and  it  is 
hoped  will  give  a  good  account  of  them. 

639.  Jan.  4,  '77.  Ensign  Benj.  Titus  is  recommended  for  a  2d 
Lieutenancy  by  Capt'sDan'l  Griffin,  John  Davis,  Dan'l  Roe,  and  Lts. 
Benj  Marvin  and  Siivanus  Conklin.    All  refugees  from  Suffolk. 

Jan.  10,  '"77.  Abm.  Hand,  Jer.  Miller  and  Col  Mulford's  negro  Jack 
were  permitted  to  return  to  L.  I.,  also  Jos.  Osborn  and  family.  Feb.  20, 
Ezekiel  and  Dan'l  Howell  petition  to  get  their  effects  from  L.  I.  John 
Mulford  Esq.,  resident  in  Stoiiington, returned  with  his  wife  to  his  estate 
on  L.  I.  and  took  one  horse  and  cow.  John  Tuthiil  was  in  Conn.  Mar.  '77. 
DaVid  Pierson  Elias  Mathews  Dan'l  Hains 

John  Gelston  Nathan  Fordham       Ezekiel  Howell 

Maltby  Gelston  Aaron  Isaacs,  Jr.       Dan'l  Howell 

Jos.  Tillinghast  Abm.  Rose  Zebedee  Osborn 

Sam'l  L'Hommeclieu  Tim.  Mathews  Elisha  Osborn 

John  Miller  Dan'l  Whelden  Silas  Norris 

David  Sayre  Jona.  Howell,  petition  Gov.  Tumbull  to 

remove  flax,  wool,  stock  &c.  from  L.  I.  to  Conn.  Feb.  '77. 

Petition  of  170  voters,  refugees  from  Suffolk,  now  in  Haddam,  E. 
Haddam,  Lyme,  Saybrook,  Killingworth  and  Guilford,  April,  10, '77,  was 
presented  to  N.  Y.  Legislature.  They  want  to  be  represented  in  Con- 
vention. 

Saybrook,  June  12/77.  Petition  of  45  Suffolk  Co.  refugees  for  relief 
and  permission  to  pass  over  to  L.  I.  for  forage  for  their  families  and  bread- 
corn  growing  on  their  land  which  otherwise  will  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands. 

Nathan  Benjamin  ;  Zeb.  and  John  Cooper;  Jacob,  Nath'l,  Benj.,  and 
David  Conklin  ;  Jesse  Dayton  ;  Dan'l  and  Ephraim  Fordham  ;  Oba. 
and  Wm.  Havens  ;  Robert  Harlow  ;  Recompense  and  Elias  Howell ; 
Jos.  Halliock  ;  Oba.  Jones;  Nath'l,  Ephraim,  Jeremiah,  Joel,  Benj. 
and  John  King  ;  Wm.  L'Hommedieu  ;  John  Moore  ;  Oliver  North  ;  John 
Paine  ;  Paul  Reeve  ;  John  Jr.  and  Dan'l  Rackett ;  Lewis  Stanborough  ; 
Chris,  and  Sam'l  Tuthiil  ;  Amon  Jr.  and  Pederick  Tabor  ;  Tho's  Ter- 
ry ;  Tho's  Vsiil  ;  Jesse  Wood  ;  Jas.  and  Craveit  Wells  ;  John,  Jos.  and 
Richard  Youngs. 


640.  July  3, '77.  Ob?..  Jones,  John  Hurlbut  ond  Tho's  Dering 
gave  permits  to  refugees  going  to  L.  I. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


71 


641.  Jan.  3,  '78.  Selah  Strong,  was  incarcerated  with  others  in 
N.  Y.,  where  he  was  detained  some  time,  and  suffered  severely  for 
want  of  provisions,  Cunningham  not  even  allowing  him  to  partake 
of  the  food  sent  to  him  by  his  wife  from  his  own  house. — Thompson, 
1.419. 

Jan.  3,  '78.  Eiv.  Last  Monday,  Selah  Strong  was  committed  to  the 
care  of  the  Provost,  on  a  charge  of  treasonable  correspondence  with  the 
enemy. 

642.  New  London,  Jan.  2,  '78.  130  tories  from  west  end  of  L.  I., 
commanded  by  Col.  Hewlett  came  down  to  Southold,  Oyster  Pond, 
&c,  and  robbed  the  honest  inhabitants  to  a  large  amount  in  clothing, 
money,  grain,  cattle,  &c.    From  one  man  they  took  £120  in  cash. 

643.  Feb.  16,  '78,  Gaine.  About  two  o'clock  last  Thursday 
morning,  a  party  of  12  rebels  seized  at  Coram,  2  wagons  loaded 
with  dry  goods,  the  property  of  Oba.  Wright  of  South  Hampton. 
These  marauders  had  been  several  days  on  the  Island,  visited  most 
parts  of  the  County  and  committed  many  robberies,  especially  at  the 
house  of  Col.  Floyd,  which  they  robbed  of  goods  and  cash,  to  a  con- 
siderable amount,  and  took  thence  some  property  of  Mr.  Dunbar, 
who  rides  down  the  Island  occasionally  and  happened  to  lodge  in  the 
house  that  night. 

644.  Riv.  Feb.  26,  '78.  Last  Friday  evening  a  small  party  of  re- 
bels, came  from  the  Main  to  Mattituck,  rapaciously  seized  and  carried 
into  Conn,  a  quantity  of  goods,  landed  from  one  of  the  vessels  dri- 
ven ashore  in  the  late  storm.    Next  day  a  gang  of  ruffians  ( John 

Clive  Symes,  Peter  Griffen,  Wilmot  Goldsmith,  and    Tuthill, 

late  residents  of  Southold,)  brought  wagons  from  the  east  end  of 
the  Island,  stripped  the  schooner  Clio,  Capt.  Simmons,  of  her  sails, 
rigging,  &c,  which  they  carried  off,  and  have  no  doubt  sent  across 
the  Sound. 

645.  Fishkill,  Mar.  5,  '78.  On  Wed.  night  a  party  of  30  volun- 
teers, from  Col.  Meigs'  Reg.,  in  4  whaleboats  under  command  of 
Major  Humphrey's,  Lts.  Lay  and  Burret,  made  a  descent  on  L.  I.,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Smithtovvn,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  seve- 
ral of  the  enemy's  shipping,  particularly  a  large  ship  of  20  guns, 
aground  near  that  place.  The  ship  was  unfortunately  got  off  the 
preceding  day,  but  they  set  fire  to  and  destroyed  a  brig,  of  200  tons 
burthen,  a  large  schooner  and  an  armed  sloop,  all  employed  in  the 


72 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


enemy's  service.  They  brought  off  2  Capt's,  and  several  seamen, 
together  with  as  many  sails,  rigging,  and  furniture,  as  the  boats  could 
contain ;  all  effected  without  loss,  and  the  party  returned  to  the 
Main,  next  morning.  The  enterprise  was  well  planned  and  con- 
ducted, and  such  a  one  as  in  Gaine  and  Rivington's  papers,  would 
have  filled  a  column  with  "immenses"  and  "  infinites, "  and  ex- 
hausted Johnson's  Dictionary,  of  all  those  terms  which  express  en- 
terprise, conduct,  and  resolution. —  Con.  Gaz.  Mar.  11,  '78. 

646.  N.  London,  Mar.  8,  '78.  Last  Sabbath  21  sail  of  the  ene- 
my's shipping,  which  have  lain  for  some  weeks  in  Gardiner's  Bay, 
taking  in  wood,  came  to  sail,  and  stood  eastward. 

647.  Gaine,  Mar.  9,  '78.  Moses  Sawyer,  who  formerly  lived  at 
jjhelter  Island,  came  over  from  the  Main,  a  few  days  since,  and  rob- 
bed the  farm  of  Wm.  Nicoll,  Esq.,  of  said  Island,  of  110  bushels 
of  wheat,  and  carried  off  grain,  belonging  to  Tho's  Dering,  of  Suf- 
folk Co. 

648.  Phineas  Fairbank,  who  had  escaped  from  Worcester  Jail, 
was  taken  by  P.  Griffing,  on  L.  I.  On  him  was  found  a  petition  to 
Tryon  for  the  farm,  with  buildings  and  utensils  thereon,  of  Grover 
Glover,  now  in  rebellion,  and  the  Governor's  reply  : 

To  whom  it  may  concern  :  Permit  Phineas  Fairbank  and  Jer.  Bow- 
en,  to  take  possession  of  the  house  and  premises  of  Joshua  Wells, 
(  now  in  rebellion)  at  Southold,  on  condition  they  occupy  the  same,  for 
their  present  use  and  advantage  ;  provided  it  does  not  interfere  with, 
or  is  not  wanted  for  the  King's  service. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  arms,  N.  Y.,  March  31,  '78. 

WM.  TRYON,  Gov. 

By  his  Excellency's  command.      B.  J.  JOHNSON,  Pro.  Sec. 

649.  Ap.  11,  was  taken  from  Stonybrook  Harbor  by  2  whale 
boats,  manned  with  13  Continental  troops,  a  sloop  and  schooner, 
loaded  chiefly  with  wood.  The  schooner  is  of  60  tons,  and  armed 
with  4  swivels ;  the  sloop  of  40  :  both  arrived  in  safe  ports  with  4 
prisoners. — N.  Haien,  Ap.  21,  '78. 

650.  £40  Currency  Reward.  Stolen  from  Mark  Langdon,  at 
Widow  Blydenburgh's,  at  the  Branch,  Sinithtown,  Ap.  22,  '78,  se- 
veral pieces  of  Taffetas,  Calicoes,  6  pieces  of  Linen  and  other  valua- 
ble dry  goods,  together  with  j£200  in  goTd  and  silver.    Pedlers  are 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY'. 


73 


warned  to  take  notice  of  this  advertisement.  Other  small  parties 
were  at  Setauket. — Rir.,  May  13. 

£40  Reward.  Taken  away  by  the  Rebels  from  Mark  Langdon, 
on  May  12  and  20th,  at  Smithtown,  a  large  quantity  of  DRY 
GOODS  and  CASH,  to  the  amount  of  £1000. 

651.  Rip.,  May  16,  '78.  The  rebels  have  constant  information 
by  signals  from  many  disloyal  Islanders  residing  between  Hunting- 
ton and  Setauket  of  every  vessel  passing  up  the  Sound,  as  well 
as  of  the  situation  of  persons  and  things  in  several  parts  of  L. 
I. ;  and  they  also  convey  ail  the  information  their  emissaries  daily 
procure  of  the  several  occurrences  in  N.  Y.  City. 

652.  Riv.,  May  20,  '78.  On  the  evening  of  Monday  se'nnight 
a  party  of  rebels  landed  at  a  harbor  in  Huntington,  and  attacked  the 
house  of  Shubael  Smith,  situated  near  the  w.:ter  side,  and  carried  off 
Mr.  Stone,  a  gentleman  belonging  to  Col.  Ludlow's  Reg't,  and  se- 
veral other  persons.  They  afterwards  passed  the  houses  of  Jos. 
Lewis  and  Nath'l  Williams,  without  molesting  them,  and  proceeded 
to  that  of  Win.  Hindford,  a  refugee,  used  his  house  and  store  in  the 
same  manner  they  had  done  Mr.  Smith's,  and  then  returned  to 
Con't  with  the  prisoners  and  booty.* 

*  Shubael  Smith  of  Huntington,  joined  the  enemy  ;  his  ferry  boat  at 
2sTorwalk  was  seized  by  the  Americans,  Jan.  16,  '77.  Cor.  502. 

653.  Riv.,  May  20,  '78.  Sunday  night,  10th  inst,  2  whale  boats, 
7  men  in  each,  came  to  Blue  Point,  and  took  thence  5  boats  lying 
there  with  oysters,  owned  by  Tho's  Myng,  Amos  Underbill,  John 
Rapalje,  Sam'l  Toby,  and  Mr.  Cameron.  This  party  was  command- 
ed by  one  Dayton  from  Corum,  and  were  all  well  armed.  They 
brought  their  boats  from  the  N.  side  of  the  Island  and  sent  their  prizes 
to  N.  London.  They  put  some  women  and  children,  and  Tho's 
Myng  ashore. 

s  The  head  of  the  Banditti  who  captured  5  vessels  loaded  with  lum- 
ber and  produce  for  the  market  of  N.  Y.,  was  Ebenezer  Dayton,  a 
noted  pedicr,  who  lately  lived  at  Comm.  Next  in  command  was 
Wm.  Clark,  formerly  a  rebel  Lt.,  who  had  taken  the  benefit  of 
Howe's  Proclamation ;  and  after  taking  the  oaths  to  Government,  he 
kept  a  shop  near  B.  Haven,  where,  by  making  private  lotteries,  fee., 
he  converted  his  effects  into  cash,  and  about  4  or  5  weeks  ago  eloped 


74 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


to  Conn.  This  party  (14  in  number)  are  a  species  of  plunderers 
distinct  from  the  rebel  troops. 

654.  Eben'r  Punderson,  a  noted  Tory,  who  made  his  escape 
some  time  ago  from  Groton,  Was  employed  and  sent  by  the  commis- 
sary at  N.  Y.  to  exact  of  the  inhabitants  at  E.  End  of  L.  I.  all  the 
grain  which  it  was  possible  for  them  to  spare,  and  had  ordered  them 
by  advertisements  to  meet  him  at  different  places  in  each  town  and 
parish,  to  give  an  account  of  what  grain  they  had  ;  but  his  con- 
science so  terrified  him,  and  fearing  he  should  be  met  by  people  from 
N.  England,  he  ran  off  without  meeting  the  inhabitants  according  to 
appointment. — N.  London,  May  22,  '78. 

E.  Punderson,  at  Newport,  Oct.  14,  '78,  wants  his  family  to  come 
in  the  King's  lines  on  L.  I.,  and  he  was  at  E.  Hampton,  Sept.  21, '83. 

655.  May  25,  '78.  4  more  whale-boats  have  again  made  their 
appearance  in  Blue  Pt.  Bay,  and  intend  to  prevent  any  boats  re- 
sorting thither ;  they  lay  on  the  beach  and  get  necessaries  from  the 
inhabitants  in  that  neighborhood. — May  25,  Gaine. 

656.  Gaine,  Ju.  15,  '78.  Friday  5th  inst.,  Eben.  Dayton,  with  6 
others,  by  stratagem,  took  Mr.  MTntire's  sloop  whilst  they  lay 
near  Blue  Pt.,  and  stripped  a  sloop  of  Lindley  Murray.  Next  day 
another  party  composed  of  Rogers,  Halsey,  Sayer,  and  White,  col- 
lected at  S.  Hampton  with  a  no.  of  others,  to  prevent  provisions  be- 
ing sent  to  N.  Y. ;  and  that  night  a  party  from  the  Main  in  a  whale- 
boat  seized  a  sloop  at  the  entrance  of  Brook  Haven  harbor,  with  a 
quantity  of  goods  from  N.  Y.  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
neighborhood  ;  and  the  same  night  they  plundered  the  house  of 
Philip  Roe,  at  Drowned  Meadows,  3  miles  east,  of  a  considerable 
quantity  of  goods  and  cash. 

Last  Sat.  night  a  party  of  14  armed  men  landed  on  I.  I ,  and  en- 
tered the  house  of  W.  Nicoll,  Esq.,  Islip,  and  robbed  him  of  a  sum 
of  money,  plate,  some  arms,  a  quantity  of  clothing,  and  other  proper- 
ties to  a  very  considerable  amount.  They  appeared  to  be  very  well 
acquainted  in  the  family,  as  they  knew  where  to  find  every  thing 
they  wanted. — June  22,  Gaine. 

657.  New  Lon.,  May  15.  Sunday  night  last,  2  boats  under  the 
command  of  Cap.  Dayton  and  Chester,  with  14  men  in  both,  went  to 
L.  L,  and  carrying  one  of  the  boats  across  a  narrow  part  of  the  island 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


75 


at  S.  Hampton,  they  went  about  60  miles  up  the  S.  side  of  the  island 
to  Fire  I.  Inlet,  and  took  possession  of  5  sail  of  coasting  vessels 
which  lay  there,  laden  with  lumber,  oysters,  household  furniture, 
some  dry  goods,  provisions,  &c.  The  prizes  are  all  safe  arrived. 
More  might  have  been  brought  off,  could  they  have  manned  them. 
Among  the  prisoners  is  a  British  Sergeant. — Gaine,  June  1,  '78. 

Libels  in  favor  of  Dayton  and  others,  were  filed  before  R.  Law, 
Judge  of  the  Maritime  Court,  N.  London  county,  against  the  following 
vessels,  taken  between  high  and  low  water  mark,  viz.  Peggy,  Cha's 
Cameron,  Commander ;  Polly,  Geo.  Hallock ;  George,  Sam'l  Tobey  ; 
Dalancey,  Tho's  Ming ;  Jacob,  Ja's  Smith. 

N.  London,  May  22,  '78.  Tuesday  night  8  whale-boats  arrived 
here  taken  by  Dayton,  S.  side  of  L.  I. 

658.  N.  London,  June  12,  '78.  Capt.  E.  Dayton,  in  an  armed 
boat,  carried  3  prizes  (coasters)  into  N.  Haven,  which  he  took  near 
Fire  Island  Inlet. 

Last  Thursday  night  a  party  of  rebels  assembled  at  the  house  of 
one  Weser,  8  miles  E.  of  Huntington,  where  one  Robertson,  a  pedler, 
had  lodged,  whom  they  robbed  of  all  his  goods,  and  took  a  sum  of 
money  of  Mr.  Weser. — June  15.  '78,  Gaine. 

659.  June  15,  '78.  Jona  Vail,  in  the  Revenge,  took  from  one 
Allen,  at  Soulhold,  a  horse.  Peter  Griffing  took  6  oxen  from  Tho's 
Seaman  and  Mat.  Smith,  July  24. 

660.  June  27,  '78.  Tho's  Fanning,  of  South  Hampton,  brother 
of  Edmund  Fanning,  was  carried  off  last  week  by  a  party  of 
rebels  from  Conn. 

June  20,  '78.  J.  Youngs,  of  Stirling,  writes  to  Nath'l  Shaw  in  be- 
half of  Fanning — says  he  got  Youngs  out  of  prison  in  N.  Y.  T.  F., 
Lt.  and  Q.  M.,  was  exchanged  for  Jos.  Chew,  Esq. 

661.  N.  Haven,  Aug.  5,  '78.  Last  Friday  about  1000  new 
Levies  arrived  at  Huntington,  from  N.  Y.,  said  to  be  a  foraging 
party. 

N.  London,  Aug.  14,  '78.  We  hear  1000  troops  from  N.  Y.  were 
at  the  E.  end  of  L.  I.  a  few  days  ago,  collecting  provisions  for  the  British 
army. 

662.  Fairfield,  Aug.  7,  '78.  Gov.  Tryon  has  marched  down  the 
Island,  and  is  now  at  Setauket  with  1200  men.    He  orders  the 


7fi 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


farmers  to  thresh  out  the  grain  immediate]}'.  The  stock  on  L.  I.,  it 
is  expected,  will  be  taken  for  the  Kings's  use. 

N.  London,  Aug.  21, '78.  A  sergeant  and  5  privates,  deserters  from 
Tryon's  plundering  party,  arrived  here  from  L.  I.  They  say  the  troops 
were  to  set  out  on  their  return,  on  Tuesday  last. 

663.  Aug.  29,  '78,  Rh.  On  Tuesday  se'night,  a  party  of  Rebels 
who  had  crossed  over  from  Con't.  having  concealed  themselves  in  a 
wood  below  Huntington,  fired  upon  3  light  dragoons,  returning  from 
E.  end  of  the  Island,  and  killed  one  of  them  on  the  spot ;  the  other 
two,  with  the  horses,  got  off  unhurt.  A  party  was  immediately  dis- 
patched from  Huntington  in  quest  of  these  assassins  ;  but  they  es- 
caped over  to  their  brethren,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Sound.  Two 
days  after  this,  a  Lt.  and  a  few  of  the  hands  belonging  to  the  Pri- 
vateer lately  wrecked  on  E.  end  of  L.  I.,  were  apprehended  and  pro- 
perly secured. 

664.  S$p.  5,  '78.  I  arrived  last  evening  from  the  East  end  of 
L.  I.,  with  a  detachment  of  near  1000  Provincials,  where  I  had 
marched  to  secure  the  peaceable  behavior  of  the  disaffected  inhabit- 
ants in  that  quarter,  and  assist  the  Commissary  in  obtaining  about 
1000  fat  cattle  for  the  army.  Inclosed  is  the  oath  I  administered  to 
all  the  inhabitants  on  the  north  side  of  the  Island,  giving  them  the 
alternative,  either  to  take  the  oath,  or  remove  with  their  families 
and  furniture  to  Conn.  Not  one  of  the  whole  chose  the  latter; 
even  the  hottest  rebels  said  my  proposal  was  generous,  which 
convinces  me  that  the  acrimony  of  opposition  is  much  softened  by 
the  late  concessions  of  Government.  Tryon. 

665.  Last  Sat.  sundry  inhabitants  of  Huntington  were  brought  to 
our  jail  for  piloting  the  rebels  in  their  different  excursions  from  Con't 
on  L.  I.    Gaine,  Sep.  14,  '78. 

666.  Oct  8,  '78.  I  have,  in  a  2d  excursion,  brought  all  the  in- 
habitants on  the  E.  end  of  L.  I.,  as  far  as  Montauk  Point,  under  an 
oath  of  peaceable  behavior  to  his  Majesty's  Government,  and  with 
good  humor.  Tryon. 

[Majorlsaac  Reeve  was  informed  against  by  Maj.  Parker  Wickham. 
When  the  light  horse,  led  by  Tories,  first  came  to  his  house,  he  escaped. 
Soon  after  he  was  taken  and  pinioned  at  his  own  house,  and  carried  be- 
fore Tryon  at  Mattituck,  2  miles  distant,  and  threatened  to  be  hung  on 


SUFFOLK  COUNT*. 


77 


a  big  tree  there.  He  refused  at  first  to  give  up,  but  at  the  solicitation  of 
his  father  James,  he  took  the  oath,  but  spurned  the  Bible  from  his  lips. 
Major  Reeve  was  afterwards  appointed  Commissary,  a  post  that  gave 
him  an  opportunity  of  favoring  many  poor  Whigs. 

John  Benjamin  said  to  Mr.  Reeve,  "  Are  you  going  to  take  the 
oath  V*  "  Yes."  '« I  wont."  "  You  must."  "  No,  I  wont."  When 
Benjamin's  turn  came,  he  was  asked  his  occupation.  "  A  Presbyte- 
rian." "I  mean,  what  is  your  business?"  "A  Presbyterian." 
"  What  do  you  bring  this  fool  here  for  V  said  Tryon,  "  Take  him 
away." — Ed.] 

667.  N.  London,  Sep.  18,  '78.  Major  Ebcn'r  Gray,  with  a  party 
of  Col.  Meigs'  Reg.,  went  to  Huntington  on  L.  I.,  and  brought  off 
16  prisoners,  disaffected,  (who  had  gone  over  to  the  enemy  from 
this  state)  ;  3  others  were  killed,  and  2  made  their  escape. 

Sep.  19,  '78,  Riv.  Last  Tues.  se'nnight,  a  number  of  armed  rebels  in 
20  whale-boats  came  over  from  Norwalk  and  landed  at  Oak  Neck  in 
Huntington,  and  attacked  the  house  of  the  Widow  Chichester,  in  which 
25  refugees  were  quartered,  who  made  some  resistance,  but  were  soon 

overpowered.    2  of  them,  Capt.  Coffin  and  Lyon,  were  killed,  one 

badly  wounded,  16  made  prisoners  ;  the  rest  made  their  escape. 

668.  Oct.  10,  '78.  Buel  writes  to  Gov.  Trumbull  that  Tryon 
wants  to  exchange  rum,  sugar,  molasses,  tea,  and  whatever  may 
please  the  ladies,  for  beef. 

669.  N.  London,  Oct.  16,  '78.  30  Sail  of  woodmen  arrived  at 
Newport  from  L.  L 

670.  Last  Tuesday  afternoon  3  men  in  a  small  schooner,  with  4 
swivels  and  a  cohorn,  was  attacked  by  2  whale-boats  with  about  10 
men  in  each  at  Fire  Place.  The  boats  went  up  with  full  resolution 
to  board  the  schooner,  and  when  within  about  20  yards,  they  received 
such  a  dose  from  the  cohorn,  as  obliged  them  to  sheer  off,  when  most 
of  their  oars  were  seen  to  drop  by  the  people  on  shore  who  were  spec- 
tators of  the  action,  which  was  well  fought  on  both  sides  ;  but  the 
boats,  after  having  9  of  their  men  killed  and  several  wounded,  were 
obliged  to  return  to  the  shore.    Gains,  Nov.  2,  '78. 

671.  David  Landon  took  dry  goods  on  L.  E,  near  yor.thold,Nov. 
6,  '78,  in  possession  of  David  Howell,  now  of  Killingworth. 


78 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


From  a  Privateer  off  Smithtoicn,  Nov.  28,  '78. 

672.  "  We  have  cleared  the  Bay  of  the  piratical  crew  that  in- 
fested it,  and  look  upon  the  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants  to  be  dis- 
affected to  Gov't,  and  believe  they  give  every  intelligence,  as  well  as 
subsistence  to  the  rebel  party."    Riv.  Dec.  2. 

673.  14  days  since  a  prize  Brig  came  ashore  opposite  St.  George's 
Manor,  loaded  with  tobacco.  Friday  following  a  privateer  sloop  and 
4  whale-boats  from  N.  London  appeared  in  the  Bay,  and  were  seen 
to  ply  between  the  prize  and  privateer,  and  'tis  supposed,  carried  off 
part  of  the  cargo.  Next  day  the  boats  made  an  attack  on  a  schooner 
and  a  sloop  that  had  arrived  from  N.  York,  but  were  repulsed  by 
both ;  when  Mr.  Dayton,  who,  'tis  said,  commanded  the  boats,  car- 
ried his  wounded  men  ashore  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Josiah  Smith,  of 
Moriches,  and  the  privateer  sloop  driving  ashore,  was  taken  by  the 
people  belonging  to  the  2  small  vessels  from  N.  Y.  Gaine,  Nov. 
30,  '78. 

674.  Dec.  2,  '78.  Riv.  Last  Friday  night,  a  few  minutes  after 
Col.  Benj.  Floyd,  of  Setauket,  had  gone  to  bed,  George,  son  of  Job 
Smith,  of  Smithtown,  and  Isaac,  son  of  Epenetus  Smith,  with  12 
others  beset  the  house,  and  George  obliged  a  domestic  to  show  him 
where  the  Col.  slept,  whom  he  surprised  and  led  to  the  thieves 
waiting  at  the  door.  They  then  triumphantly  hurried  him  over  to 
Norwalk. 

675.  Capt.  Eben.  Dayton,  in  the  sloop  Ranger  of  45  men,  6  car- 
riage guns,  and  12  swivels,  blunderbusses,  muskets,  hand  grenadoes 
(to  throw  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel  attacked  as  they  run  her  aboard 
witli  whale-boats),  was  taken  in  South  Bay,  [Nov.  20,  '18]  by  Capt. 
Stout  of  a  N.  Y.  Privateer,  and  brought  to  N.  Y.  Wed.  lasN  Riv. 
Dec.  5,  '78. 

676.  The  Betsey,  Capt.  Win.  Seaman,  was  taken  near  Oyster 
Bay,  Dec.  5,  '78,  with  cargo  of  wood,  plank,  flour,  &c. 

677.  Petitions  of  Suffolk  Co.  Refugees,  in  Conn. 

'78.  Jona.  Havens,  Dan'l  and  Nathan  Fordham,  Benj.  Conklin, 
Paul  and  Step.  Howell,  Francis  Furnier  and  Son,  and  Thos.  Currier — 
refugees  from  L.  I  ,  brought  over  their  effects,  [to  Lyme  ?] 

Oct.  '78.    David  Parsons,  in  service  of  U.  S.,  1776,  transported 


SUFFOLK  COU.NTY. 


79 


his  family  from  S.  Hampton  to  E.  Haddam, — has  wheat  he  cannot  ge« 
off,  but  can  exchange  for  salt  or  steel — has  liberty  to  go. 

Capt.  Jer.  Rogers,  of  L.  I.,  is  now  (May  6,  '78,)  at  Killingworth,  in 
whale-boat  business. 

Jas.  Sayre,  of  L.  L,  now  at  Saybrook,  wants  to  engage  in  the  illicit 
trade.  Oct.  12,  '78. 

Capt.  David  Howell,  of  S.  Hampton,  Silvanus  Howell,  and  Jos. 
Youngs,  who  fled  from  L.  I.  to  Killingworth,  in  the  fall  of '76,  want  to  go 
over  to  L.  I.  They  were  plundered  of  produce  on  L.  I.  by  Capt.  Grif- 
fing,  and  pray  Gov.  Trumbull  for  relief.    Nov.  11,  '78. 

Orange  Webb,  late  of  L.  I.,  at  N.  London  ;  John  Miller,  at  E.  Had- 
dam ;  John  Hudson,  of  Sag  Harbor,  at  Stonington  ;  Thos.  Dering,  of 
Shelter  I.  ;  and  Rich.  Howell,  of  S.  Hampton  are  on  the  Main  ;  Oba. 
Guildersleeve,  of  Sag  Harbor  ;  Benj.  Paine,  of  Southold ;  B.  Y. 
Prime,  at  N.  Haven  ;  Oba.  Haven,  of  Shelter  I.  at  Saybrook  ;  Ezekiel 
Sandford,  at  E.  Haddam  ;  Thos.  Lester,  killed  by  a  wad  at  N.  London  ; 
Mary  King,  at  Middletown  ;  Mr.  Burnet  Miller,  at  Stonington  ;  Josiah 
Smith,  at  N.  London.  Nov.  1,  '76,  to  Oct.  1,  '78. 

Ap.  22,  '79.  Thos.  Dering,  Middletown,  wants  to  go  to  L.  I.  for 
effects. 

Aug.  24,  '79.  Rev.  Henry  Van  Dyck,  at  Norwalk,  wants  to  go  to 
L.  I.  with  his  family.  [H.  V.  D.,  taken  prisoner  by  Capt.  Fitch,  before 
Oct.  '82.] 

Sep.  '79.  Gaius  Gardiner  and  Henry  Booth,  of  L.  I.,  at  Norwich. 

Nov.  '79.  Hugh  and  Wm.Gelston, petition  to  winter  their  horses  on  L.I. 

Nov.  2,  '79..Jona.  Osborn,  of  Southold,  seized  and  brought  over  by 
Peter  Griffin,  June  14,  as  a  person  unfriendly  to  U.  S.,  wishes  his  ap- 
parel and  liberty — negatived. 

ISlay  24,  '79.  Jas.  Curren,  of  Southold,  to  Guilford,  asks  relief  from 
taxation. 

John  Hubbard,  from  Southold,  makes  a  deposition  respecting  Dan'l 
Dibble,  a  refugee.  No  date. 

Gershom  Culver  and  Thos.  Tapping,  have  permits,  Nov,  16,  '79,  to 
bring  off  from  L.  I.  some  flour  and  grain,  the  produce  of  their  land. 

Dec.  3,  '79.  Hugh  Gelston  allowed  to  go  to  L.  I.  for  300  bushels  of  salt, 
without  carrying  goods,  produce  or  money. 

Hartford,  June  10,  '79.  Jesse  Wood  petitions  to  go  to  S.  Hampton 
for  proceeds  of  his  house  and  lot ;  Aaron  Isaacs  to  E.  Hampton,  for  horse 
and  flax  ;  Hannah  White  for  clothing  ;  Wm.  Philips  for  his  own,  and  Col. 
Wm.  Floyd's  and  Ezra  L'Hommedieu's  effects  ;  John  Pelletreau  for 
the  effects  of  his  father. 


80 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


678.  Riv.  Jan.  20,  '79.  Last  Sat.  se'nnight,  3  whale-boats  with 
detachments  from  Meigs  and  Willis's  Continental  Reg.,  under  com- 
mand of  a  Capt.  and  Lt,  came  from  Greenwich,  Cont.,  with  intention 
to  secrete  themselves  in  Huntington  Bay,  until  an  opportunity  offered 
to  interrupt  vessels  on  their  passage  to  this  city  ;  but  a  violent  gale 
arising,  obliged  them  to  make  for  the  nearest  part  of  L.  I.,  in  attain- 
ing which  one  of  their  number  containing  7  privates  and  a  Capt.  was 
lost,  and  the  crew  perished.  The  other  2  as  soon  as  they  struck  the 
ground,  hauled  up  their  boats  and  covered  them  with  branches.  After 
lying  26  hours  concealed,  they  were  discovered  by  a  soldier  of  Gen . 
Delancey's  Regt,  who  immediately  got  assistance  and  secured  them  at 
the  very  instant  they  were  ready  to  push  off.  They  were  brought 
to  town  on  Thursday  last. 

679.  Feb.  1,  '79.  Capt.  Elderkin  took  the  sloop  Mary  Ann,  28 
tons,  navigated  by  Stent  Raymond,  in  Huntington  Harbor,  below 
high- water  rcn-.rk. 

680.  N.  London,  Feb.  5,  '79.  Last  Sat.,  the  Ranger,  a  British 
Privateer  Brig  of  12  guns  that  had  been  cruising  in  the  Sound,  was 
taken  from  a  wharf  at  Sag  Harbor,  after  a  short  resistance,  by  the 
Brig  Middieton,  Capt.  Sage,  sloop  Beaver,  Capt.  Havens,  sloop 
Eagle,  Capt.  Conklin. 

On  Sunday  these  3  again  sailed  for  Sag  Harbor,  where  they 
discovered  7  British  vessels  just  arrived — one  a  brig  of  8  or  10  guns, 
when  a  fair  prospect  appeared  of  making  capture  of  the  whole  ;  but 
wind  ahead,  the  Middieton  struck  on  the  Middle  Ground,  in  beating 
up  the  harbor,  i  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  where  she  was  bravely  de- 
fended for  4  or  5  hours  by  her  crew  against  an  incessant  fire  from 
the  brig  and  several  field-pieces  on  shore  :  after  being  hulled  by  30 
shots,  several  under  water,  and  the  vessel  careening  by  the  tide's  fall- 
ing, the  guns  conld  not  be  worked,  all  except  4  left  the  ship  and  were 
taken  on  board  the  other  2  vessels. 

These  on  their  return,  took  2  brigs  from  Cork,  via.  N.  Y.  with 
rum,  wine,  and  12,000  bushels  of  oats  for  the  troops  on  the  East  end 
of  Long  Island. 

Hog  Neck,  11  o'clock  at  night,  Feb.  1,  '79. 
Sir  : — At  daybreak  the  Brig  Middieton  and  2  Sloops  of  14  and  10 
guns  each,  were  seen  standing  in  for  Sag  Harbor.     Betwixt  8  and  9 
thpy  came  within  cannon  shot  of  the  King's  armed  vessel,  which  fired 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


81 


3  shots  ahead  of  them,  neither  of  which  being  answered,  the  Neptune 
fired  at  them,  which  was  returned  on  their  side,  hoisting  rebel  colors, 
and  still  standing  on  until  they  came  within  reach  of  the  guns  on  shore, 
which  having  thrown  a  few  12  pound  shot  at  them,  they  stood  out  from 
the  Harbor,  towards  the  end  of  Hog  Neck  :  long  shot  was  then  ex- 
changed for  some  time,  till  the  rebel  Brig  having  the  appearance  of 
being  aground,  or  having  met  with  some  accident,  a  12  pounder  was 
moved  down  to  the  end  of  Long  Wharf,  which  being  nearly  on  a  level 
with  the  water,  had  the  effect  of  deterring  the  sloops  from  giving  her 
much  assistance  :  while  I  crossed  over  to  Hog  Neck  with  the  infantry 
of  the  British  Legion,  and  the  3  pounder  attached  to  it,  from  whence  we 
bore  with  such  advantage  on  her,  that  she  struck  to  us,  but  unfortunate- 
ly having  5  whale  boats  on  board,  all  the  crew  got  off  except  3,  and  the 
sloops  immediately  left  the  Bay.  We  met  with  but  one  accident,  a 
corporal  being  wounded. 

CHAS.  COCHRAN, 
Maj.  B.  Legion,  Commanding  Troops  at  S.  H. 

To  Sir  W.  Erskine. 

[Maj.  Cochran  was  killed  at  Yorktown. — Ed. 

681.  Caution  to  Travellers  on  L.  I. 

A  party  of  Rebels  have  a  place  of  resort  at  Bread  and  Cheese 
Hollow,  on  a  bye  road  that  leads  from  the  houses  of  2  men  now  in  re- 
bellion, viz. :  Nath'l  Piatt  and  Thos.  Treadwell,  to  that  of  the  noted 
Sam'l  Philips,  near  the  Branch.  They  extend  along  the  road  from 
said  Philips'  to  the  well-known  Piatt  CarlPs,  and  have  stopped  several 
persons  on  horseback  and  in  wagons,  and  robbed  a.  number  of  houses 
in  Smtthtown,  and  Islip,  within  the  last  10  days.  They  are  said  to  be 
commanded  by  a  rebel  Maj.  Brush,  formerly  of  Huntington.  Two  of 
these  thieves  are  known  to  be  Nich.  Tillotson  and  Steph.  Woodhull, 
(the  former)  son  of  Dan'l  Tillotson  of  the  Branch,  owner  of  the  barn 
formerly  mentioned  in  this  paper,  which  the  Rebels  make  use  of  as  a 
look-out  to  waylay  passengers.  The  unfortunate  Loyalists  in  this 
part  of  the  country  are  greatly  exposed  to  the  savage  cruelty  of  these 
assassins.  They  are  few  in  number,  and  unable  to  defend  them- 
selves from  the  frequent  incursions  of  the  parties  who  land  from 
Cont.,  and  who  are  harbored  and  supplied  with  provisions  and 
intelligence  by  their  confederates  above  mentioned. 

Riv,  Mar.  10,  '79. 


82 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


682.  Feb.  16,  '79.  14  companies  light  infantry  (700)  at  South- 
ampton. 

Gen.  Clinton  at  Southampton  with  about  2500  troops  ;  25  sails  in 
and  near  Sag  Harbor  ;  12  or  14  driven  on  Gardener's  I.  by  a  gale. 

J\r.  London,  Mar.  25,  '79. 
N.  London,  Mar.  5,  '79.   The  enemy  at  E.  end  of  L.  I.  are  building 
flat  boats  for  the  invasion  of  this  State.    A  reinforcement  of  1500  lately 
arrived  there  from  N.  Y.   Ap.  1. — 31  sail  came  down  Sound  from  N.  Y. 
and  Vent,  it  is  said,  into  Sag  Harbor. 

Mar.  31,  '79.  We  hear  Gen.  Clinton,  with  3  or  400  troops,  lately 
marched  from  N.  Y.  to  the  E.  end  of  L.  I.,  and  joined  those  who  had 
been  there  several  weeks,  said  to  amount  in  the  whole  to  3  or  4000. 

Ap.  7,  '79.  10  days  since,  Gen.  Clinton  in  haste  returned  to  N.  Y. 
accompanied  by  a  small  guard,  for  fear  the  French  would  attack  New 
York.  British  troops  on  L.  I.,  'tis  said,  are  commanded  by  General 
Vaughan. — New  Haven  paper. 

[A  soldier,  by  permission,  was  carrying  a  white  bag  of  peaches  from 
the  orchard  of  Mrs.  Hunting,  at  E.  Hampton,  when  Nath'l  D.,  suppos- 
ing he  had  a  goose  under  his  arm,  fired  and  killed  him.  Domini  at  first 
determined  to  stand  a  trial,  (conscious  of  his  innocence,)  but  by  advice 
of  his  friends,  fled. — Ed.] 

N.  London,  Ap.  15,  '79.  5  French  prisoners  escaped  here  from  L. 
I.,  who  say  there  are  only  500  foot  and  50  horse  at  Southold,  and  100 
men  at  Sag  Harbor  with*2  field-pieces,  which  force  is  kept  there  to  faci- 
litate the  taking  off  wood  and  hay  from  Sag  Harbor.  A  fleet  of  1 6  sail  of 
wood  vessels,  and  a  12  gun  brig  lie  there,  and  a  ship  with  provisions  lately 
from  N.  Port.  Before  her  arrival  provisions  were  so  scarce,  that  the  in- 
habitants were  obliged  to  kill  poor  milch  cows  for  food,  and  the  troops 
sickly.  Gen.  Clinton  was  returning  to  N.  Y.,  after  throwing  up  some 
breastworks,  &c,  in  consequence  of  a  report  that  Gen.  Parsons  was 
preparing  for  an  attack  on  Sag  Harbor  with  4000  troops. 

Mr.  Buel  was  on  friendly  and  intimate  terms  with  Gov.  Tryon  ; 
and  from  his  lively  disposition,  ready  wit,  and  fondness  for  the  chase, 
was  a  favorite  with  Sir  Wm.  Erskine,  and  often  had  it  in  his  power  to 
soften  the  severity  of  war.  Sir  William,  one  Saturday,  said  to  Mr. 
Buel,  "  I  have  ordered  the  people  of  your  parish  to  appear  with  their 
teams  at  Southampton  to-morrow."  Mr.  B.  replied,  "  I  know  it,  but 
as  I  am  commander-in-chief  on  the  Sabbath,  I  have  annulled  the  or- 
der."   Sir  William  did  not  insist. 

Mr.  Buel  frequently  joined  the  parties  of  the  British  officers,  which 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


88 


he  enlivened  by  humorous  anecdotes  and  agreeable  conversation.  Once 
when  he  was  behind  the  appointed  hour  for  a  deer-hunt,  Sir  Wm.  had 
detained  the  party.  Tired  of  waiting,  they  had  now  mounted,  when 
seeing  his  friend  Buel  approaching,  Sir  Wm.  ordered  his  men  to  dis- 
mount to  receive  him.  Lord  Percy,  an  aid,  while  impatiently  pacing 
the  floor,  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Buel,  who  thereupon  asked  him  what 
portion  of  His  Majesty's  forces  he  had  the  honor  to  command  ?  "  A 
legion  of  devils  just  from  hell."  "  Then,"  said  Mr.  Buel  with  a  low 
bow,  "  I  suppose  I  have  the  honor  of  addressing  Beelzebub,  the  prince 
of  devils  !"  His  lordship  put  his  hand  on  his  sword.  This  was  rebuked 
by  Sir  Wm.,  and  the  laugh  turned  on  Percy,  who,  after  a  while,  was 
restored  to  good  humor  by  the  marked  attention  of  the  parson. — Prime, 
179. 

N.  London,  Hay  11,  '79.  16  sail  came  out  of  Gardiner's  Bay  and 
stood  for  N.  Y. — supposed  to  be  woodmen  for  N.  York. 

683.  May  11,  '79.  David  Gardiner  of  Southold,  was  robbed  of 
£40  cash,  and  Widow  Case  and  her  son  of  goods  and  clothes.  Pe- 
ter Griffing  recovered  and  restored  them. 

684.  Gaine,  Maij  31,  '79.  The  house  of  Wm.  Nicoll,  Esq.,  of 
Islip.  was  robbed  of  sundry  sorts  of  goods  to  the  amount  of  many- 
hundreds,  by  a  party  from  Conn,  a  fortnight  ago,  May  18,  under 
Eben'r  Drake  and  Capt.  Peter  Foster. 

685.  Riv.  Ju.  9,  '79.  Suffolk  Co.,  May  31.— ':  Since  the  de- 
parture of  Sir  W.  Erskine  and  the  troops  under  his  command  from 
this  place,  we  have  been  continually  plundered  both  by  land  and  wa- 
ter, by  a  set  of  (worse  than  savage)  rebels.  They  are  become  so  bold 
as  to  attack  us  at  noonday  as  well  as  at  midnight.  The  great  quantity 
of  goods  carried  from  N.  Y.  to  this  county,  I  think,  is  the  cause  of 
inviting  the  rebels  over.  There  is  a  set  (of  what  we  call  traders)  in 
your  town  (X.  Y.),  who  are  concerned  with  a  number  of  disaffected 
persons  in  carting  goods  to  the  different  parts  of  this  county." — A 
Loyal  Subject. 

686.  Gaine,  Ju.  14,  '79.  On  Sunday  evening,  June  6,  a  party 
of  rebels  and  plunderers  entered  the  house  of  W.  Nicholl,  jr.,  Islip, 
and  stripped  it  of  all  the  furniture  and  clothing  that  were  valuable ; 
after  which  they  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Ob.  and  John  Greene, 
and  robbed  them  of  about  .£140  value.    These  villains  are  commis- 


84 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


sioned  by  Gov.  Trumbull  to  take  every  thing  below  highwater  mark. 
There  being  no  vessels  at  present  in  South  Bay  for  them  to  take, 
rather  than  return  without  booty,  they  have  robbed  old  Mr.  Nicholl's 
family  several  times  to  a  considerable  amount. 

687.  June  16,  '79.  Every  6th  man  drafted  on  L.  I.  from  16  to 
60,  in  consequence  of  our  fleet  [French]  off  Sandy  Hook. 

688.  Riv.  July  3,  '79.  "  Suffolk  Co.,  Ju.  21.  The  most  notori- 
ous Rebels  boast  they  can  have  goods  from  N.  Y.  as  usual.  Several  of 
our  inhabitants  entertain  and  join  with  the  plundering  parties.  Last 
week  a  party  of  Rebels  had  a  feast  at  the  house  of  Benj.  Havens  at 
Moriches,  (a  most  pernicious  caitiff,)  and  several  of  the  inhabitants 
attended  at  this  frolic.  Wm.  Philips,  Benajah  Strong,  (who  was 
privy  to  the  murder  of  Maurice  Seaman,  at  Islip,)  and  Caleb  Brews- 
ter, gave  this  entertainment. 

689.  Huntington.  The  friends  of  Government  here  have  been 
greatly  distressed  ever  since  the  King's  troops  left  the  E.  end  of  L. 
I. ;  the  rebellious  part  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  town,  who  were  kept 
in  awe  while  the  troops  were  stationed  E.  of  us,  are  now  become 
more  insolent  than  ever,  and  publicly  threaten  to  have  all  the  loyal- 
ists carried  off  to  Con't.  The  principal  of  these  miscreants  are 
Nath'l  Williams,  Stephen  Kelsey,  Eliphalet  Chichester,  John  Brush, 
Jonas  Rogers,  Marlboro  Burtis,  and  Israel  Wood  ;  several  of  whom 
smuggled  goods  out  of  N.  Y.  to  this  place  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
supplying  the  rebels  in  Con't. 

These  scoundrels  live  in  perfect  safety,  when  scarcely  a  night 
passes  but  some  of  their  loyal  neighbors  are  plundered  by  the  sons 
and  other  relations  of  those  rebels  who  fled  to  Con't  when  the  King's 
troops  landed  on  the  Island.  I  hope  you  will  keep  a  good  look-out  for 
these  traitors,  if  they  should  have  the  assurance  to  return  again  to 
your  city  to  buy  goods  ;  and  if  wre  should  be  so  happy  as  to  have 
any  troops  quartered  in  this  part  of  the  county  again,  I  hope  in  God 
these  perjured  villains  will  be  made  to  rue  the  day  they  entered  into 
rebellion  against  the  best  of  kings. — Gaine,  Ju.  28,  1779. 

690.  July  21,  '79.  The  British  put  powder  in  the  cellar  and 
blew  up  the  house  lately  improved  by  John  Brown,  on  Fisher's  I., 
fired  the  out-houses,  hay,  &c. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


S5 


691.  Spies  on  L.  I.  June  27,  '79.  Washington  sends  to  Col.  Tall- 
madge  10  guineas  for  Culper,  Jr.,  whose  accounts  are  clear,  intelligent, 
and  satisfactory. — Sparks,  vi.  278. 

July  5,  '79.  Washington  is  sorry  that  Tallmadge  lost  his  letter,  but 
will  replace  the  guineas.  T.  must  notify  H.  in  the  Bowery,  of  the  loss. 
— Sparks,  vi.  285. 

Sep.  24,  '79.  Washington  wishes  spies  to  write  their  information 
on  margin  of  almanacs,  reviews,  pamphlets,  &c,  or  on  blank  leaves  at 
the  end  ;  or  write  a  familiar  letter  in  tory  style,  and  interline  with  a 
stain  their  private  intelligence. 

Feb.  5,  '80.  W.  sends  20  guineas  and  2  vials  of  stain  and  counter- 
part of  stain,  for  Culper,  Jr. — Sparks,  vi.  460. 

Col.  T.  opened  a  secret  correspondence  (for  Washington)  with  some 
persons  in  N.  Y.  and  Abraham  Woodhull  of  Setauket,  which  lasted 
through  the  war.  He  kept,  one  or  more  boats  constantly  employed  in 
cruising  the  Sound  on  this  business. —  Thomspon,  ii.  483. 

In  summer  of  '83,  Major  T.  went  to  N.  Y.  under  sanction  of  a  flag, 
to  grant  protection  to  those  who  had  transmitted  intelligence  of  the 
enemy's  doings  from  time  to  time  during  the  war.  Thus  these  spies 
and  private  emissaries  were  saved  from  the  insults  of  their  countrymen, 
who,  on  entering  the  city,  might  have  treated  them  with  indignity  in- 
stead of  merited  respect. — Simms,  547. 

Isaac  Whippo,  Geo.  Smith,  Siivanus  Dickerson,  refugee  Whigs  from 
L.  I.  The  last  two  obtained  pensions  for  secret  service  as  spies.  They 
had  free  access  to  the  city  of  N.  Y., — bought  goods.  Stratford,  notori- 
ous for  illicit  trade,  exported  to  L.  I.  small  articles — hams,  eggs,  butter, 
cheese,  and  small  stock  of  all  kinds.  Some  boats  were  captured  aud 
condemned  ;  men  set  at  liberty.    Owners  sold  all  kinds  of  goods. 

692.  Was  murdered  at  Islip,  June  18,  Morris  Simmons,  a  refu- 
gee from  Duchess  Co.,  who  occupied  the  farm  of  one  Strong,  a 
rebel,  supposed  by  3  villains,  who  first  wounded  him  with  a  pistol  in 
the  knee,  stabbed  him  in  several  places,  and  then  beat  his  brains  out 
with  an  axe.  As  he  lived  alone,  he  was  not  found  till  next  day. — 
Gaine,  July  5,  '79. 

[He  had  notice  to  quit. — Ed.] 

Suffolk  Co.,  Aug.  4,  '79. 

693.  By  a  late  proclamation,  all  persons  going  to  and  from  N. 
Y.  must  have  a  pass ;  I  find  several  persons  have  surreptitiously  ob- 

5 


86 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


tained  them ;  the  loyalists  of  this  county  not  daring  to  oppose,  as 
their  lives  and  property  lie  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  Con't  rebels. 
Several  persons  from  Queens,  (notoriously  disaffected,)  have  lately 
moved  into  this  county  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  their  rebel 
connections  in  the  Con't  towns. — Riv.,  Aug.  24,  '79. 

694.  Riv.,  Aug.  14,  '79.  A  party  of  rebels,  with  their  faces 
blacked,  entered  the  house  of  Fred.  Hudson,  Esq.,  of  Suffolk 
Co.,  on  Friday  night,  6th  inst.,  and  robbed  hint '"of  provisions,  clothing 
and  bedding  to  the  amount  of  £200  and  upwards,  scarcely  leaving 
the  family  their  wearing  apparel.  This  is  the  fourth  time  Mr.  H. 
has  been  plundered  since  his  captivity. 

695.  £5  Reward. — Taken  out  of  the  lots  of  Dan'l  Blatsy,  one 
mile  from  Piatt  Carll's,  Huntington,  a  horse  and  mare,  &c. — Aug.  16, 
'79.  Gaine. 

696.  To  be  sold  at  Auction,  \\h  or  T^th  part  of  the  Privateer 
Sir  A.  Hammond,  sailed  from  Huntington,  14th  inst.,  on  a  cruise, 
14  six-pounders,  completely  victualled  and  manned,  and  fitted  with 
close  quarters. — Aug.  23,  '79.  Gaine. 

697.  40  privateers  at  Huntington,  owned  by  Tory  refugees,  com- 
manded by  one  Hatch,  of  Mass. — N.  London,  Aug.  25,  '79. 

698.  Riv.,  Oct.  2,  '79.— N.  Lond.,  Sep.  22.  A  requisition  hav- 
ing been  made  to  Gen.  Delancey,  of  L.  I.  Militia,  to  furnish  500 
men,  to  parade  with  their  blankets  on  Aug.  23,  to  march  for  Brook- 
lyn, to  be  employed  in  repairing  and  constructing  new  works  there  ; 
210  of  which  were  to  be  from  Suffolk  County,  who  were  also  to 
furnish  and  send  to  the  magazine  at  Brooklyn,  5,000  fascines,  9  ft. 
long,  and  stripped  of  leaves  ;  25,000  pickets,  from  3  to  4  ft.  long  ; 
5,000  fraisings  or  stockades,  from  9  to  10  ft.  long,  and  6  to  8  in. 
thick  ;  5,000  railing  of  6  or  7  ft. 

The  inhabitants  having  refused  to  comply,  the  following  letter 
was  sent  to  Gen.  Delancey  : 

JY.  Y.  Aug.  26,  '79. 
Sir  : — You  will  signify  to  the  people  of  Suffolk  Co.  that  if  the  requi- 
sition is  not  immediately  complied  with  a  detachment  of  troops  will  be 
sent  into  that  district,  and  every  person  who  shall  refuse  shall  be  turned 
out  of  L.  I.,  and  their  farms  will  be  all  for  the  support  of  those  who 
have  suffered  from  real  attachment  to  Government. 

RAWDON,  Ad.  Gen. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


87 


Sep.  22,  '79.  N.  London  Gaz.  Last  Friday  35  young  men  came 
from  L.  I.  to  Saybrook,  who  left  their  homes  on  account  of  being  or- 
dered to  work  on  the  fortifications  on  the  west  end  of  L.  I.,  apprehend- 
ing they  should  be  ordered  thence  to  the  West  Indies. 

699.  Aug.  28,  '79.  Riv.  Aug.  14,  a  party  of  about  20  rebals 
made  their  appearance  at  Corum,  and  took  2  of  Isaac  [or  Isaiah] 
Smith's  sons.  Thence  they  proceeded  6  miles  westward  to  the 
house  of  Isaac  Smith,  and  also  made  him  and  3  more  of  his  sons 
prisoners.  Mr.  S.  threw  one  of  the  rebels  over  the  stoop  and  made 
his  escape.  Thence  they  proceeded  to  B.  Haven  Town  and  stopped 
at  John  Baley's,  where  they  remained  some  time.  Thence  they 
went  to  Crane  Neck,  3  miles  west  of  B.  Haven,  where  their  boats 
lay.  Between  this  place  and  Crane  Neck  one  of  Mr.  Smith's  sons 
made  his  escape.  Next  morning  their  boats  were  seen  near  Crane 
Neck.  The  same  day  a  party  of  militia  were  in  motion,  and  their 
orders  were  to  march  to  Drowned  Meadow,  3  miles  east  of  B. 
Haven. — The  well  known  Eben.  Dayton  was  at  the  head  of  this 
party,  2  of  the  sons  of  Israel  Conklin,  of  Huntington  South,  Stephen 
Woodhull,  of  B.  Haven,  the  noted  Isaac  Smith,  of  Corum,  (  com- 
monly called  Petticoat  Isaac, )  and  one  of  his  sons  :  the  two  latter 
joined  the  rebels  about  3  months  ago.  Mr.  Petticoat  Isaac  has  been 
remarkably  industrious  in  harboring  and  supplying  the  Rebels  with 
provisions  and  intelligence. 

The  above  party  made  their  appearance  at  Corum.,  at  noon-day, 
and  ordered  Isaac  Smith's  family  to  depart  from  that  place,  by  Tues- 
day following,  otherwise  their  house  should  be  destroyed  by  fire. 
I.  S.  is  the  only  Loyalist  in  the  whole  district  of  Corum. 

700.  Capt.  Elias  Glover  left  Conn,  after  the  passage  of  Treason 
Act,  Sep.  10,  '79,  and  was  captured  by  Major  Talmadge,  at  Lloyd's 
Neck— Sep.  '79, 

701.  Chatham,  Sep.  28;  '79.  General  Clinton  has  demanded  a 
number  of  men  from  every  county,  to  fortify  the  Island.  He  fears  a 
visit  from  the  French,  our  illustrious  ally. 

702.  Gaine,  Oct.  11,  '79.  Stolen,  Sep.  15,  from  Jos.  Ketcham's, 
at  Nesiscop,  40  miles  east  of  N.  Y.,  by  7  or  8  armed  men  dressed  in 
blue,  a  gun,  silver  mounted  and  gold  touch-hole  ;  a  suit  of  green 
clothes,  gilt  oval  buttons ;  a  suit,  light-colored  silk  jean,  solid  silver 


S3 


AR3IED  OCCUPATION  OF 


buttons ;  a  suit  nankeen.  The  above  made  a  short  fit  for  shooting. 
Also,  4  ruffled  shirts,  4  cravats,  4  handkerchiefs,  fowling  bag,  &c, 
10  gallons  shrub,  18  Madeira  wine,  also  a  gun  of  Major  [John] 
AntilPs,  [of  Skinners  Brigade].  £  10  reward  for  one,  and  £5  for 
every  other  of  the  robbers. 

N.  B. — Any  of  the  gang  who  will  inform,  may  depend  on  every 
means  being  used  to  obtain  his  pardon,  by  Richard  Deane,  distiller, 
N.  Y. 

703.  On  the  night  of  Oct.  2,  a  party  of  men  attempted  to  break  into 
the  house  of  Widow  Piatt,  Huntington,  where  Jas.  Houston  and 
John  Stewart  kept  store,  but  was  prevented  by  Mr.  Stewart,  who 
threatened  to  fire  on  them.  The  night  following  they  returned  with 
a  greater  force  and  attacked  the  house  in  like  manner,  when  they 
were  again  prevented.  On  5th  returned  a  third  time,  at  12  at  night, 
broke  up  a  window  with  a  sledge,  and  fired  several  shot  into  the 
house,  when  a  hot  engagement  commenced. 

Mr.  John  Stewart,  Mr.  Piatt,  and  a  negro,  prevented  their  getting 
into  the  house  for  some  time,  but  one  of  the  villains  got  into  the 
kitchen,  where  John  Stewart  killed  him.  The  firing  alarmed  the  in- 
habitants, who  immediately  took  to  their  arms,  and  drove  the  robbers 
into  the  woods.  The  negro  received  a  wound  in  the  head,  the  only 
damage  done. — Oct.  18, '79.  Gaine. 

(100  guineas  reward.)  A  most  daring  robbery  was  committed 
at  the  house  of  Jesse  Conklin,  Bushy  Plains,  by  persons  unknown, 
on  the  night  of  Oct.  the  6th.  100  guineas  reward,  and  a  (free) 
pardon  from  the  Commander  in  Chief,  ( is  offered  )  to  any  accomplice 
who  shall  prove  evidence  against  the  rest. — Oct.  18,  '79.  Gaine. 

704.  Nov.  3,  '79,  Riv.  We  hear  from  B.  Haven,  that  last  Mon- 
day evening,  a  party  of  20  rebels,  in  3  whale-boats,  arrived  near  the 
house  of  Col.  Benj.  Floyd.  They  attacked  the  house,  and  robbed 
him  of  £600,  and  the  most  valuable  part  of  his  household  goods.  2  of 
the  party  had  their  faces  blacked ;  and  the  same  night  the  house  of 
Andrew  Seton  was  robbed  (  by  the  same  party  )  of  the  most  valuable 
effects :  and  on  the  preceding  evening  the  house  of  Capt.  Solomon 
Davis  (see  767)  at  Old  Man's  was  attacked.  They  fired  several 
shot  through  the  house,  but  Capt.  Davis  stood  ready  to  receive  the 
first  who  should  dare  enter,  either  at  the  doors  or  windows.  He 
told  them  he  was  accustomed  to  having  balls  fly  around  him,  and 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


89 


some  of  the  inhabitants  being  alarmed,  the  rebels  went  off  without 
doing  any  more  damage  in  that  quarter.  Several  other  robberies 
have  been  committed  on  the  south  side. 

705.  Nov.  6.  '79,  Riv.  2  guineas  reward.  A  nut  brown  horse  run 
away,  Nov.  3,  in  disembarking  at  Brooklyn  ferry,  belonging  to  the 
Major  of  the  Hess.  Reg.  of  Ditfourth,  marching  to  Huntington. — 
Not  easy  caught. 

706.  N.  London,  Dec.  4, '79.  5  green  coats  arrived  here,  from 
L.  I.,  last  Monday  night. 

Petilions  of  Suffolk  Co.  Refugees  in  Conn. 

707.  Ap.  24,  '80.  Gilbert  Fanning,  jr.,  a  nephew  of  Lt.  Palmer,  at 
Stonington,  wants  to  return  to  L.  I.  to  settle  about  land  in  Stonington, 
which  his  grandfather  F.  left  to  his  father  (at  his  death  in  June  last), 
also  to  get  power  of  attorney  from  Phineas  and  Jas.  F.,  at  Southold, 
to  dispose  of  estate  of  Richard  F.,  who  died  8  years  ago  in  North 
Carolina,  and  left  2  children  who  died  lately. 

May,  '80.  David  Palmer  wants  permit  to  get  produce  of  Col.  Gardi- 
ner, his  father-in-law,  off  Plumb  I. 

Ap.  11, '80.  Thos.,  Amaziah,  and  Selah  Corwin,  Peter  Halliock, 
Israel  Youngs,  David  Vail,  Daniel  Tuthill,  at  Lyme,  are  permitted  to 
go  to  L.  I.  for  grain,  wool,  flax,  and  1£  bushels  salt  each  for  their  families. 
They  are  to  carry  over  no  provisions  nor  bring  off  any  British  goods. 

Capt.  John  Conklin,  refugee,  has  a  pass  to  cross  Sound  in  illicit 
trade.  June  13,  '80. 

June  30,  '80.  Wm.  Lawrence,  late  of  S.  Hampton,  now  of  Saybrook, 
wishes  a  pass  for  his  wife  and  Elizabeth  Simmons  to  go  and  stay  on  L. 
I.    He  to  return  after  settling  up  his  mother's  estate. 

July  12,  '80.  Andrew  Ward  wants  permit  for  Rev.  Mr.  Rose  to 
visit  L.  I.  and  procure  proof  that  certain  captured  goods,  worth  £600, 
were  bought  and  not  captured  on  L.  I. 

Aug.  10,  '80.  Doctor  Howell  and  Mr.  Leavenworth  in  the  illicit 
trade  seized,  but  showed  a  permit  from  President  of  Congress. 

Capt.  Zach.  Rogers,  Jacob  Titus  and  Thos.  Conklin,  of  L.  L,  were 
taken  in  a  wood-boat  on  the  Sound  before  Aug*  26,  '80. 

Before  Sep.  14,  '80.  Capt.  Lockwood  took  from  L.  L  Cable  and  Lud- 
lam. 

John  Storrs,  Hartford,  Oct.  25,  '80,  wants  to  go  and  preach  on  L. 
I.  and  bring  back  presents.    Capt.  Gamaliel  Baley  to  command  the  boat. 


90 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


Oct.  31,  '80.  Wm.  Lawrence,  at  Saybrook,  wishes  to  bring  his 
family  ofi*L.  I.    He  left  12  months  ago. 

Jacob  Titus,  Thos.  Conklin,  Zach.  Rogers,  late  of  Huntington, 
taken  10  weeks  ago  in  a  wood-boat  and  now  prisoners  of  war  at  Hart- 
ford, will  aid  the  American  cause,  if  liberated.  Oct.  '80. 

Geo.  Smith,  at  Hartford,  wishes  to  go  to  Smithtown  now  and  then 
to  see  to  his  estate.  His  father  lately  died.  Has  large  family  to  sup- 
port. 

Geo.  Howell  wishes  to  bring  over  from  L.  I.  his  secreted  effects. 

No  date. 

Mar.  13,  '80.  Oba.  Johnes,  Nath'l  King  and  Daniel  Tuthill,  pray  to 
go  to  L.  I.  at  all  times  for  provisions  for  their  families. 

Mar.  10,  '80.  Eben'r  Reeve  and  Nath'l,  his  nephew,  at  school  at 
Chelsea,  were  refugees  from  L.  I. 

Mar.  20,  '80.  Dr.  Henry  White,  at  Stonington,  wishes  to  return  to 
L.  I. 

Mar.  21,  '80.  Nath'l  Overton,  at  Groton,  wants  to  return  to 
Southold. 

John  Franks,  Elias  Howell,  Dan'l  Fordham,  Henry  Hopping,  Silas 
Jessup,  David  Woodruff,  Geo.  Fordham,  Dan'l  Rackett  and  Capt.  Paul 
Reeve,  want  permits  to  cross  to  L.  I.  Nov.,  '80  ? 

Joshua  Smith  and  Capt.  D.  Roe,  of  B.  Haven,  at  Middletown;  Capt. 
D.  Roe  at  Woodbury,  '80  ;  Lt.  Caleb  Brewster  of  Continental  Army, 
Seth  and  Ephraim  Marvin,  of  B.  Haven,  at  Norwalk,  '80  ;  Cornelius 
and  Eben'r  Conklin,  Alex,  and  Carll  Ketchum,  W.  Sammis,  Jas. 
Hubbs,  Benj.  Blachly,  Pearson  Brush,  Epenetus  Smith,  Jos.  Titus,  Tim. 
Williams,  at  Norwalk  ;  Isaac  Smith  at  N.  Haven.  Ap.  27,  '80. 

Jan.  24,  '80.  John  Hulbert,  David  Sayre,  Theoph's  Halsey,  Maltby 
Gelston,  David  Pierson,  Zeb.  Osborn,  Uriah  Rogers  and  Stephen  How- 
ell, all  of  E.  Haddam,  and  Gamaliel  Bayley,  of  Hartford,  have  permits 
to  go  to  L.  I.  for  flax. 

May,  '80.  Benj.  Nathan,  from  Southold — wife  became  discontent- 
ed— returned  in  a  year  with  the  children  and  back  one  year  since, 
tisks  to  take  over  2  or  3  cows — allowed  to  take  one. 

Hannah  Cupper  and  P.  Tillenness,  widows,  fled  with  their  husbands 
from  Southold  to  Haddam — unable  to  support  their  families — desire  to 
return — granted. 

Eben.  Edwards,  Southampton  to  Farmington — indigent — wants  to 
go  over  and  bring  back  avails  of  his  farm. 

Wm.  Floyd  from  L.  I.  to  Middletovvn — Gen.  Tryon  allowed  two  tories 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


91 


to  take  his  estate,  and  his  steward  fled  to  Conn. — asks  to  send  over  for 
his  effects — granted.  Ap.  '80.  !j 

Zeb.  Hallock,  Southold  to  Guilford — has  a  family  in  want,  who 
wish  his  return — granted. 

Dr.  Silas  Halsey,  Southampton  to  Killingworth — property  gone — out 
of  business — asks  to  return  as  the  east  end  of  the  Island  is  quiet — 
granted.  Ap.  '80. 

Jona.  Havens,  from  L.  I.  to  East  Haddam,  1776 — sold  his  grain  and 
cattle  for  continental  money,  which  is  spent — in  need  and  wants  to  re- 
turn— allowed,  with  his  family,  negro  boy,  family  stores,  furniture,  &c. 

Ap.  '80. 

Wm.  Havens,  from  L.  I. — can't  support  his  family  at  Saybrook — 
asks  to  return — negatived.  June,  '80. 

David  and  Silvanus  Hoel,  and  Jer.  Rogers,  Southampton  to  Kill- 
ingworth, 1776 — ask  to  go  over  to  rent  their  farms  and  bring  back 
the  avails — negatived.  Ap.,  '80. 

Sam'l  Landon  and  Barnabas  Horton — Southampton  to  Guilford — 
ask  to  return — granted.  May,  '80. 

Wm.  Lawrence,  Southampton — fled  to  Saybrook  leaving  his  family 
when  enemy  possessed  E.  end  of  Island — wife  sick — asks  to  return — 
negatived.  May,  '80. 

Seth  Overton  asks  to  bring  over  from  Southold  to  Chatham  his  aged 
parents  who  are  insulted  by  the  British — negatived.  Oct.  '80. 

Elias  Pelletreau,  goldsmith,  and  his  two  sons,  John  and  Elias, 
Southampton  to  Simsbury — enemy  made  a  store  of  his  house  and  ruin- 
ed him,  1776 — asks  for  his  two  sons  to  return  with  goldsmith's  tools — 
negatived.  Ap.  '80. 

Paul  Reeve,  L.  I.  to  Saybrook — was  Captain  in  the  army  and  dis- 
charged— can't  support  his  family  and  asks  to  return — negatived. 

Major  King,  Oyster  Pond  to  Saybrook,  with  his  aged  parents — 
wants  to  bring  over  avails  of  his  farm — allowed  under  inspection. 

Date  lost. 

Abigail  and  Bethiah  Terry,  Southold  to  Durham,  1776 — single  and 
in  decline  of  life — can't  obtain  support — want  to  return — granted. 

Sep.  '80. 

Jos.  Topping,  L.  I.  to  Middletown — in  need — a  large  family — has  a 
farm — an  aged  father  on  the  Island — allowed  to  return.       May,  '80. 

Rufus  and  Christ'r  Tuthill,  widow  Dolly  Baley  and  John  King — 
Southold  to  N.  London — ask  to  take  over  a  cow  each — granted. 

May,  '80. 


92 


ARMfcD  OCCUPATION  OF 


Benj.  Vail,  Jona.  Conklin,  Jona.  and  Joshua  Horton,  and  Joshua 
Reeve— Southold  to  Guilford — cannot  support  their  families — ask  to 
return  and  take  over  cattle — granted.  Ap.  '80. 

David  Welden,  L.  I.  to  E.  Haddam,  Sep.,  1776 — in  want — has  an 
aged  mother — if  allowed  to  return  will  take  no  part  against  U.  S. — 
granted.  Ap.  '80. 

John  Preston,  and  Tim.  Welles,  Sr.  and  Jr.,  at  Stonington — left 
large  estates  at  Southold — money  gone — in  want — ask  to  return — 
allowed.  Ap.  '80. 

Dr.  Henry  White  wishes  to  return  to  his  father,  Rev.  Mr.  White,  at 
Southampton — negatived.  Feb.  '81. 

Thos.  Topping,  tanner  and  shoemaker,  South  Hampton  to  Weth- 
ersfield — spent  the  effects  he  brought  over — allowed  to  return. 

Ap.  '80. 

Jan.  '80.  John,  Cornelius,  and  Selah  Conklin,  Sam'l  Vail,  Rob't 
Brush,  Conklin  Shaden,  Ezekiel  Wickes,  Carll  and  Alex.  Ketcham, 
John  Carll,  Henry  Scudder,  Joshua  and  Jarvis  Rogers,  Jesse  Arthur, 
Josiah  Buffet,  Seth  Marvin, — L.  I.  to  Conn. — forsook  their  homes, 
which  had  been  taken  by  the  British — ask  relief  of  Poll  Tax. 

Feb.  '80.  Eph.  and  Benj.  Marvin,  Zebulon  Williams,  Wm.  Salmon, 
Gabriel  Smith,  Benj.  and  Gabriel  North,  L.  I.  to  Norwalk — spent  all 
they  brought  over — ask  relief  from  Tax. 

Oct.  '80.  Geo.  Smith,  Smithtown  to  Stratford — asks  to  return  to 
bring  off  the  avails  of  the  sale  of  his  estate  in  merchandise. 

Wm.  Philips  wants  permit  to  go  to  L.  I.  and  bring  off  effects  of 
Col.  Floyd  and  his  own,  (and  get  £600  then  due  Col.  F.  from  Dan'l 
Downs.)  Philips  was  Floyd's  overseer  and  had  resided  2  years  at 
Milford. 

708.  New  Haven,  Feb.  2,  '80.  Last  week,  as  3  Hessian  soldiers 
were  attempting  to  cross  the  Sound  from  Lloyd's  Neck,  2  were 
drowned  ;  the  3d  got  safe  ashore  on  the  Main. 

709.  $20  Reward  and  Charges.  Stolen  out  of  the  barn  of  Zo- 
phar  Rogers,  Huntington,  Feb.  19,  '80,  2  horses,  &c. 

710.  Public  thanks  are  hereby  rendered  to  His  Ex.  Brig.  Gen. 
LELAND,  for  his  amiable  command  during  his  stay  at  Huntington : 
by  a  vote  (nem.  con.)  of  the  inhabitants,  at  a  town  meeting,  held 
March  9,  '80.  Sol  Ketcham,  Town  Clerk. 

711.  July  19,  '80.  Symcoe  crossed  the  Sound  at  Flushing,  and 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


03 


marched  to  Huntington,  where  100  of  the  militia  cavalry  of  the 
Island  joined  him.  This  corps  was  destined  to  secure  the  commu- 
nication overland,  between  the  Fleet  which  lay  off  the  East  end  of  the 
Island  and  N.  Y.  The  Queen's  Rangers  remained  about  the  Points, 
on  the  E.  end  of  the  Island  till  Aug.  9,  when  they  fell  back  to 
Corum,  whence  they  returned  Eastward,  Aug.  15,  being  joined  by 
the  King's  Amer.  Reg.,  which  Symcoe  was  ordered  to  detach  to 
Riverhead,  and  he  himself  met  the  Commander-in-Chief  (Clinton), 
who  was  now  on  his  journey  by  the  Admiral's  invitation,  to  hold  a 
conference  with  him.  Clinton  sent  Symcoe  to  Adm'l  Arbuthnot, 
whose  fleet  was  anchored  in  Gardiner's  Bay,  but  sailed  before  Clin- 
ton could  arrive.  The  Queen's  Rangers  returned  to  Oyster  Bay, 
Aug.  23.  This  march  of  near  300  miles  had  been  made  very 
fatiguing  by  the  uncommonly  hot  weather,  which  rendered  the  Pine 
barren,  through  which  the  roads  principally  lay,  as  close  and  sultry  in 
the  night  as  in  the  daytime.  The  troops  had  been  obliged  to  subsist 
on  the  country.  A  militia  dragoon  who  was  sent  express  to  the 
Adj.  Gen.  [Andre  ?]  to  inform  him  what  difficulty  there  was  in  pro- 
curing provisions  for  the  troops,  and  the  hardships  which  con- 
sequently fell  upon  the  inhabitants,  was  waylaid,  taken  and  robbed 
at  Smithtown,  by  a  party  from  the  Rebel  shore.  As  this  had  been 
formerly  the  case,  and  it  was  obvious  no  party  could  remain  se- 
creted unknown  to  the  inhabitants,  Lt.  Col.  Symcoe  obtained  leave 
of  Clinton,  to  raise  a  contribution  from  the  inhabitants  of  £80  cur- 
rency, one-half  to  reimburse  the  militia  man  for  what  was  taken 
from  him,  and  the  other  to  recompense  him  for  the  chagrin  he  must 
have  been  under  in  not  being  able  to  execute  his  orders. 

Jour.  149,  150. 

712.  Last  Friday  night  a  party  of  Rebels  surrounded  the  house  of 
Dr.  Punderson  of  Setauket.  took  him  prisoner  and  carried  him  to 
Con't :  in  that  night  the  same  party  took  Wm.  Jayne,  jr.  The 
rebels  told  Mrs.  P.  they  had  taken  the  Dr.  to  exchange  for  John 
Smith  and  Mr.  Jayne  for  Wm.  Philips,  who  were  seized  at  Smith- 
town,  at  Widow  Blyenbury's,  on  a  trading  expedition. 

Gaine,  July  17,  '80. 

713.  Sep.  1,  '80,  N.L.  Two  deserters  from  the  Queen's  Rangers 
came  here  last  Sunday  from  L.  I.,  who  say  Gen.  Clinton  was  at  E. 

5* 


94 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


Hampton,  Wed.  before,  and  that  day  set  out  with  his  attendants 
for  N.  Y.,  and  that  the  rest  of  the  Troops  set  out  on  Thursday. 

714.  Riv.  Sep.  16,  '80.  Taken  up  by  John  Hill,  Inspector,  Brook- 
lyn Ferry,  a  dark  bay  horse  and  2  mares,  in  the  possession  of  John 
Brown  of  Huntington,  who  is  now  in  custody  on  suspicion  of  their 
being  stolen. 

715.  Ship  Watt,  struck  on  \  moon  shoal,  Montauk  Pt.,  sunk  in 
2  hours,  Capt.  Coulthart  and  20  of  the  crew  drowned. 

Gaine,  Sep.  20,  '80. 

716.  Sep.  26,  '80.  Col.  Ludlow  writes  to  Gen.  Silliman,  that 
"  plundering  inhabitants  and  taking  off  innocent  farmers,  is  a  mode 
of  warfare  I  detest.  Outrages  are  committed  by  mercenary  men 
among  us.  Any  of  our  people  plundering  on  the  Main,  if  detected 
by  me,  will  be  returned  to  you  and  restoration  made." 

717.  Those  Refugees  desirous  of  locations  in  Suffolk  Co.  will 
leave  their  petition  with  P.  J.  Livingston,  Hellgate.     Oct.  5,  '80. 

718.  Capt.  Elisha  Elderkin  in  the  True  Blue,  took  the  Betsey, 
Dan'l  Pardue,  master,  in  South  Bay.  Oct.  8,  '80. 

719.  Oft.  9,  '80.  Michael  Veal,  Joshua  Rogers,  Cor.  Conklin, 
John  Conklin,  and  Jesse  Brush,  in  a  whale-boat,  were  forced  by 
stress  of  weather  on  L.  I.  shore,  and  are  now  prisoners  in  N.  Y. 

"Oct.  11.  Monday  last,  were  brought  to  Town  by  Capt.  Luke, 
(see  722)  of  the  Royal  Refugees,  and  safely  lodged  in  Provost,  the  fol- 
lowing rebel  gentry,  viz. :  —  Maj.  Brush,  Capt.  Cornelius  Conklin, 
Capt.  J.  Conklin,  Capt.  Rogers,  and  Lt.  Farley,  all  notorious  offenders, 
long  practised  in  coming  from  the  N.  England  shore  to  murder  and 
plunder  the  King's  loyal  subjects,  on  L.  I.  They  were  taken  last  Sat. 
by  Lt.  Pendergrass  and  a  party  of  Col.  Cuyler's  Refugees,  at  Smith- 
town,  with  their  whale-boat,  and  considerable  booty.  A  certain 
Capt.  Ketcham  was  killed  in  attempting  to  escape." 

Oct.  10,  '80,  Rob.  Roy.  Amer.  Gaz. 

Jesse  Brush  had  sent  the  following  warning  "to  John  Ketcham  and 
his  associates." 

Head  Quarters,  Aug.  25,  '80. 
I  have  repeatedly  ordered  you,  especially  Ap.  15,  to  leave  my  farm. 
This  is  the  last  invitation     If  you  do  not,  your  next  landfall  will  be  in 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


95 


a  warmer  climate  than  any  you  ever  lived  in  yet.  20  days  you  have  to 
make  your  escape.  Riv.,  Oct.  21,  '80. 

"  It  was  a  dark,  moonless  midnight  in  Sep.  '80,  that  Maj.  Brush,  a 
small,  well-built  man,  with  red  hair,  sandy  complexion,  and  a  bright 
eye,  strong  as  Hercules,  and  bold  as  a  Lion,  2  brothers  Conklins,  from 
Virginia,  Capt.  Rogers,  a  hardy  old  fellow,  whose  farm  had  been  ravaged 
by  Cornwallis's  army,  Lt.  Ketcham,  a  polished  gentleman  and  brave 
officer,  Tim.  Williams,*  a  noble,  generous  fellow,  full  of  vivacity  and 
humor,  and  Abm.  Leggetj  landed  from  a  whale-boat  on  a  Beach  near 
Smithtown.  The  boat  was  hauled  up  in  a  cove,  and  carefully  covered 
with  branches  of  trees,  seaweed,  &c,  so  as  to  prevent  its  being  noticed. 
Then  they  proceeded  to  a  house,  the  owner  of  which  was  a  True  Blue, 
who  had  been  apprized  that  Maj.  Brush  was  about  to  be  dispatched  on 
a  secret  mission  by  Gov.  Clinton  to  raise  a  loan  of  specie  on  L.'  I. 
For  3  weeks  they  passed  to  and  fro  in  various  disguises,  generally 
choosing  the  night  for  their  peregrinations,  sometimes  venturing  out  by 
broad  daylight,  with  assumed  names,  and  some  pretended  business 
which  they  would  puisue  with  a  great  deal  of  seeming  earnestness.  After 
they  left  L.  L  stress  of  weather  forced  them  back  to  North  Swamp, 
when  they  hauled  up  their  boat,  capsized  it,  and  crawled  under  for  shel- 
ter. In  the  afternoon  it  cleared  up,  they  came  out,  when  they  were 
surprised  by  a  shout  from  a  neighboring  height  "  There  they  are  !  The 

d  d  Rebels  !"  and  a  volley  of  musketry  followed,  which  laid  2  dead 

on  the  sand.  Legget  and  Williams  escaped  in  a  swamp,  and  recrossed 
in  the  night  to  Conn,  in  a  large  whale-boat  which  Gen.  Washington  kept 
cruising  in  the  Sound,  and  commanded  by  Capt.  Brewster." 

N.  York,  Dec.  1845. 

*  At  the  close  of  the  war,  a  merchant  at  Huntington,  where  he  died, 
1811\ 

t  Late  of  N.  Y.  City,  and  father  of  Wm.  L  ,  Editor  of  Evening 
Post. 

Gen.  Parsons  wants  H.  Scudder  to  go  to  L.  I.  to  negotiate  the  ex- 
change of  Maj.  Brush,  Capt.  Joshua  Rogers  and  other  refugees  from 
L.  I.  now  prisoners.  Oct.  19,  '80. 

720.  Ft.  St.  George  was  built  at  a  point  projecting  into  South 
Bay,  on  Smith's  Manor,  being  the  enemy's  easternmost  defence.  It 
was  a  triangular  inclosure  of  several  acres  of  ground,  at  two  angles 
of  which  was  a  strongly  barricaded  house,  and  at  the  third,  a  fort, 
with  a  deep  ditch  and  wall,  encircled  by  an  abattis  of  sharpened 
pickets,  projecting  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees.    The  fort  and  hou- 


96 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


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A 


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A  Plan  of  Ft.  St.  George,  taken  by  Col.  Tallmadge,  Nov.  22,  '80. 

ses  were  entirely  connected  with  a  strong  stockade,  12  feet  high, 
every  piece  sharpened,  and  fastened  to  each  other  by  a  transverse 
rail,  strongly  bolted  to  each.  The  work  was  nearly  finished,  and 
had  embrazures  for  6  guns,  and  but  2  mounted.  The  Fort  was  96 
ft.  square,  and  had  one  gate  and  sally  port,  leading  into  the  grand 
parade.  The  Fort  and  other  works  had  been  completed  only  a  few 
days,  and  had  50  men.  The  above  information,  and  a  draft,  was 
obtained  from  Wm.  Boothe,  who  lived  near  the  Fort,  and  actually 
guided  Tallmadge  to  it.  The  Fort  was  the  depository  of  stores, 
dry  goods,  groceries,  and  arms,  whence  Suffolk  Co.  could  be  sup- 
plied. 

Nov.  21,  '80.  At  4  P.  M.,  with  8  boats  and  a  fair  wind,  I  em- 
barked my  detachment,  consisting  of  2  companies  of  dismounted 
dragoons,  (80  men  in  all,)  at  Fairfield,  and  the  same  evening  at  8 
o'clock,  lauded  at  Old  Man's.  I  was  obliged  to  go  so  far  east  to 
avoid  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  which  laid  at  Huntington  and  vi- 
cinity, partly  in  our  direct  route  from  Stamford.  Soon  after  we 
landed,  say  10  o'clock,  I  put  the  troops  in  motion  to  cross  L.  I.  We 
had  not  gone  far,  say  4  or  5  miles,  before  the  wind  began  to  blow 
from  S.  E.  and  rain  soon  followed.  I  faced  the  troops  about,  re- 
turned to  our  boats,  which  were  drawn  up  and  concealed  in  the 
bushes,  under  guard  of  20  men  ;  as  attention  must  be  paid  as  well 
to  a  favorable  time  for  re-crossing  the  Sound  (20  miles  wide)  as 
to  attacking  the  Fort.  There  we  remained  through  the  night  and 
next  day,  and  at  evening  the  rain  abated,  and  I  again  ordered  the 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


07 


troops  to  march  (7  o'clock)  for  our  destined  place  S.  side  of  L.  I. 
At  3  next  morning  I  found  we  were  within  2  miles  of  Ft.  St.  George, 
when  we  halted  a  short  time  to  take  refreshment.  Having  made 
my  arrangements  for  3  different  attacks  at  the  same  time,  I  placed  2 
small  detachments  under  command  of  officers  of  high  spirit,  at  dif- 
ferent positions  from  the  Fort,  with  orders  to  keep  concealed  until 
the  enemy  should  fire  on  my  column.  Just  as  day  began  to  dawn, 
(4  o'clock,)  T  put  my  detachment  in  motion.  The  pioneers,  under 
Lt.  Brewster,  who  preceded  my  column  had  reached  within  20  yds. 
of  the  stockade  before  they  were  discovered.  At  this  moment  the 
sentinel  in  advance  of  the  stockade  halted  his  march,  looked  atten- 
tively at  our  column,  demanded  "  Who  comes  there  ?"  and  fired. 
Before  the  smoke  from  his  gun  had  cleared  his  vision,  my  sergeant, 
who  marched  by  my  side,  reached  him  with  his  bayonet  and  pros- 
trated him.  This  was  the  signal  for  the  other  troops  to  move  forward, 
when  all  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  entering  the  Fort.  So 
resolute  were  the  men  that  a  breach  was  soon  made  in  the  stockade, 
where  the  rear  platoon  under  Mr.  Simmons  halted  to  prevent  the 
prisoners  from  escaping.  [There  was  a  detachment  around  each 
house  also.]  I  led  the  column  directly  through  the  grand  parade 
against  the  main  fort,  which  we  carried  with  the  bayonet  in  less  than 
10  minutes,  not  a  musket  being  loaded.  At  the  same  instant  that  I 
entered  one  side  of  the  fort,  the  officers  commanding  the  smaller  de- 
tachments mounted  the  ramparts  on  the  other  sides,  and  the  watch- 
word, "  Washington  and  Glory  !"  was  repeated  from  3  sides  of  the 
Fort  at  the  same  time.  While  we  were  standing,  elated  with  vic- 
tory, in  the  centre  of  the  Fort,  a  volley  of  musketry  was  discharged 
from  the  windows  of  one  of  the  large  houses  containing  the  main 
body  of  the  enemy,  which  induced  me  to  order  my  whole  detach- 
ment to  load  and  return  the  fire.  I  soon  found  it  necessary  to  lead 
the  column  directly  to  the  house,  which  being  strongly  barricaded, 
required  the  aid  of  the  pioneers  with  their  axes.  As  soon  as  the 
troops  could  enter,  the  confusion  and  conflict  was  great.  A  consid- 
erable portion  of  those  who  had  fired  after  the  Fort  was  taken,  and 
the  colors  had  been  struck,  was  thrown  headlong  from  the  2d  story 
to  the  ground.  Having  forfeited  their  lives  by  the  usages  of  war, 
all  would  have  been  killed,  had  I  not  ordered  the  slaughter  to  cease. 
In  less  than  10  minutes  the  garrison  were  prisoners.    The  prisoners 


98 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


being  secured,  it  was  soon  discovered  that  a  vessel  which  laid  near 
the  Fort,  loaded  with  stores,  wine,  rum,  sugar,  glass,  &c,  was  getting 
under  weigh.  The  guns  of  the  Fort  were  brought  to  bear  on  her 
and  she  was  soon  secured.  (I  detached  a  party  who  boarded  and 
took  her.)  All  things  were  now  safe  and  quiet,  and  I  had  never 
seen  the  sun  rise  more  pleasantly.  It  became  necessary  to  demolish 
the  enemy's  works ;  and  an  immense  quantity  of  various  goods, 
English,  &c,  was  destroyed.  The  shipping  and  their  stores  were 
also  burnt  up.  Some  valuable  articles  of  dry  goods  were  made  up 
in  bundles,  placed  on  the  prisoners'  shoulders,  who  were  pinioned,  2 
and  2,  and  thus  carried  across  the  Island  to  our  boats. 

Having  given  the  command  of  the  detachment  to  Capt.  Edgar, 
with  orders  to  halt  at  a  given  point  near  the  middle  of  the  Island,  I 
selected  10  or  12  men  with  Lt.  Brewster,  and  mounted  them  on 
horses  taken  at  the  Fort,  with  which  I  intended  to  destroy  the  King's 
magazines  of  forage  at  Comm.  This  place  was  nearly  half  way  to 
the  place  where  a  large  body  of  British  troops  were  encamped,  E. 
cf  Huntington.  I  reached  it  in  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  made  a 
vigorous  charge  upon  the  guard  placed  to  protect  it,  set  it  on  fire, 
(say  300  tons  of  hay)  and  in  about  an  hour  and  a  half  more  reached 
the  place  where  I  had  ordered  the  troops  to  halt,  having  rode  15  or 
16  miles.  As  I  arrived  I  was  glad  to  see  the  head  of  the  detach- 
ment under  Capt.  Edgar  advancing  with  the  prisoners.  As  none  of 
us  had  halted  since  we  parted,  we  sat  down  for  nearly  an  hour  and 
refreshed.  After  this  we  took  up  our  line  of  march.  By  this  time 
the  militia  began  to  muster,  but  prudently  avoided  coming  near  us. 
Some  guns  were  fired,  but  no  damage  received.  By  4  o'clock  we 
reached  our  boats,  and  before  sunset  were  all  afloat  on  the  Sound. 
By  midnight  every  boat  arrived  at  Fairfield  Beach,  although  we  had 
entirely  lost  sight  of  each  other  in  the  darkness  of  the  night.  This 
service  was  executed  entirely  without  the  loss  of  one  man,  and  only 
one  was  badly  wounded  and  him  we  brought  off.  Thus  in  21  hours 
we  marched  near  40  miles,  took  the  Fort,  burnt  the  magazines,  &c. 
The  enemy's  loss  was  7  killed  and  wounded,  most  of  the  latter  mor- 
tally. We  took  one  Lt.  Col.  Commandant,  one  Capt.,  one  Lt.,  one 
Surgeon,  and  50  rank  and  file,  with  a  host  of  others  in  the  garrison 
whom  we  left  behind  ;  also  one  garrison  standard. 

Mr.  Muirson  was  a  volunteer,  and  deserves  commendation. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


99 


He  advanced  with  Lt.  Jackson  over  the  abattis  and  wall  into  the 
Fort.    Thompson,  ii.  484.    Syms,  p.  542. 

Riv.,  Dec.  2,  '80.  80  Rebels  headed  by  Maj.  Talmadge,  assisted  by 
Heathcot  Muirson,  Benajah  Strong,  Thos.  Jackson,  Caleb  Brewster, 
officers  belonging  to  the  same  party,  formerly  all  of  L.  I.,  came  across 
in  8  whale-boats  and  landed  between  Wading  R.  and  Old  Man's,  (sup- 
posed to  have  been  concealed  2  or  three  days  by  their  old  friends  on  the 
Island).  On  Thursday  morning,  23d  Nov.,  about  50  marched  across 
the  Island  (the  remainder  being  left  to  guard  the  boats)  just  after  daylight, 
arrived  at  Smith's  Point,  St.  George's  Manor,  where  they  surprised  a  re- 
spectable body  of  loyal  refugees  from  R.  I.  and  the  vicinity,  who  were 
establishing  a  post  to  get  a  present  subsistence  for  themselves  and  their 
families.  The  sentry  on  observing  them,  fired,  which  they  returned,  and 
mortally  wounded  him,  and  rushed  into  a  house.  Mr.  Isaac  Hart,  of 
N.  Port,  was  inhumanly  fired  on,  wounded  and  bayoneted  in  15  differ- 
ent parts  of  his  body,  and  beat  with  their  muskets  in  a  shocking  manner 
in  the  very  act  of  imploring  quarter,  and  died  of  his  wounds  a  few 
hours  after.  Four  more  refugees  were  wounded  also,  but  are  in  fair 
way  of  recovery.  A  poor  woman  was  also  fired  on  at  another  house 
and  barbarously  wounded  through  both  breasts,  of  which  wound  she 
now  lingers. 

The  Rebels  carried  off  about  40  prisoners  ;  on  their  return  at  Corum, 
they  burnt  a  magazine  of  hay,  about  100  tons,  and  same  day  embarked 
for  the  Con't  shore. 

721.  The  Culloden,  in  pursuit  of  French  ships  from  R.  I.,  in  a 
dreadful  storm  on  Monday  night,  Jan.  22,  '81,  was  driven  on  L.  I., 
[at  Culloden  Point.]  Her  men,  guns,  and  masts,  will  be  saved. 
We  have  the  inhuman  consolation  to  hope  the  French  have  fared 
worse. — Gen.  Robertson. 

722.  Gaine,  Jan.  21,  '81.  Address  by  the  officers  of  the  Loyal 
Refugee  Volunteers  established  under  his  auspices  at  Smithtown,  to 
Col.  Abm.  Cuyler,  previous  to  his  departure  for  England.  They 
approve  his  conduct,  thank  him  for  his  kind  endeavors  to  alleviate 
their  disagreeable  situation,  and  beg  him  to  assure  His  Majesty  of 
their  loyal  attachment.  Signed  by  P.  V.  Alstyn,  Maj.  Com't;  P. 
Luke,  J.  V.  D.  Poel,  B.  Dyer,  Capt's;  M.  Pendergrass,  P.  Hoff, 
Wm.  Castilles,  John  Huyck,  Lts ;  P.  Durland,  Q.  M. 

723.  Gaine,  Mar.  12,  '81.    A  party  of  rebels  from  Con't  in 


100 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


8  whale-boats  and  an  armed  schooner,  to  the  amount,  as  is  supposed, 
of  150  men,  arrived  at  S.  Hampton,  last  Monday,  plundered  the  in- 
habitants of  several  thousand  pounds  worth  of  goods,  and  carried 
several  of  them  away  prisoners. 

724.  Mar.  16,  '81.  The  British  fleet,  that  had  lain  some  time  at 
Gardiner's  Bay,  set  sail  southward. — N.  London. 

725.  N.  London,  Ap.  20,  '81.  Capt.  Pierpont,  in  an  armed 
whale-boat  from  N.  Haven,  was  taken  by  surprise  at  Canoe  Place, 
by  a  party  of  refugees  who  lay  in  ambush  for  him. 

726.  Capt.  Fitch  visited  Corum,  May  2,  '81,  and  found  a  few 
goods  ;  most  were  secreted.  He  took  Glover,  Ap.  27,  '81,  on  Conn, 
shore. 

727.  Valentine  Rider,  with  three  boats  duly  commissioned,  land- 
ed at  Mt.  Misery,  went  into  the  country  and  robbed  David  Munro 
and  Widow  Taylor  of  furniture,  &c,  equal  to  £600.  Before  leav- 
ing the  coast,  17  of  them  landed  a  second  time,  and  shot  at  a  son  of 
Philip  Roe,  beat  and  robbed  him  and  his  brother  Nath'l  of  furniture, 
clothing,  cash,  &c. ;  broke  looking-glass  and  windows. — May,  '81. 

728.  May  23,  '81.  Five  whale-boats,  containing  about  50  men, 
made  their  appearance  in  the  South  Bay,  where  they  attacked  and 
took  a  sloop  loaded  with  lumber  belonging  to  Messrs.  Keteltas  & 
Nicoll,  of  N.  Y.,  which  they  dispatched  with  one  of  their  boats  for 
N.  Haven. 

A  few  evenings  after,  the  remaining  crews,  38  in  no.,  landed  at 
Blue  Pt.,  and  plundered  several  of  the  inhabitants  of  provisions, 
clothing,  and  money,  to  a  considerable  amount ;  and  carried  off 
another  small  vessel  of  K.  &  N. 

Early  next  morning,  by  the  exertions  of  two  or  three  principal 
sufferers,  the  militia  were  assembled  under  command  of  Capt's  Rose 
and  Baker,  and  marched  10  or  12  miles  with  cheerfulness,  but  find- 
ing no  prospect  of  overtaking  the  plunderers  without  proceeding  30 
miles  farther,  to  a  place  they  knew  the  rebels  must  of  necessity 
cross,  the  Capt's  declined  going.  22  men,  however,  on  promise  of 
having  their  expenses  defrayed,  and  a  little  persuasion,  consented  to 
continue  their  march,  and  after  suffering  every  inconvenience  from 
a  heavy  road,  and  want  of  sustenance,  had  the  good  fortune  to  over- 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


101 


take  them,  taking  their  rest  at  the  Canoe  Place,  about  2  in  the 
morning.  Knowing  themselves  still  undiscovered,  they  immedi- 
ately attacked  them  at  15  yards  distance,  and  so  completely  sur- 
prised them,  as  to  kill  one,  mortally  wound  another,  make  20  prison- 
ers, and  secured  their  boats  and  plunder,  with  38  stand  of  arms,  with- 
out the  smallest  opposition.  The  prisoners,  under  guard,  were 
ordered  in  their  boats,  and  arrived  in  N.  Y.  on  Saturday  evening, 
and  are  safely  lodged  in  the  Sugar  House. — Riv.  Ju.  6,  '81. 

At  auction,  near  the  ferry  stairs,  4  prize  whale-boats,  taken  a  few 
days  since  on  S.  side  of  L.  I.,  in  good  repair,  and  well  found  in  oars, 
&c. 

729.  May  31,  '81,  N.  London.  Some  days  ago  Major  Ayres 
made  an  excursion  from  Saybrook  to  L.  I.,  and  took  2  vessels  near 
Wading  River.  After  taking  some  goods  out  of  the  vessels  they  went 
ashore  ;  and  as  they  were  cooking  provisions  under  a  bank,  they 
were  suddenly  fired  on,  when  Major  A.  and  one  or  two  of  the  party 
were  killed. 

730.  June  11,  '81.  Goods  and  furniture,  equal  to  £31.  19.  8, 
were  taken  from  John  Bayley  of  Brookhaven,  by  Ezekiel  Wicks, 
Jacob  Conklin,  Benj.  Nicoll  and  others;  from  Dan'l  Downs,  equal  to 
£4.  2  ;  from  Capt.  Wm.  Brewster,  equal  to  £68.  12.  6. 

731.  Before  June  12,  '81.  St.  Martin  took  goods  from  L.  I.  ; 
Geo.  Smith,  of  Hartford,  took  corduroys,  calicoes,  &c,  at  Cor  urn  ; 
Eben'r  Ayres,  of  Stamford,  took  goods  at  Cow  Harbor ;  E.  Jones,  of 
Stamford,  took  law  books. 

732.  Gaine,  July  2,  '81.  On  Wednesday  night  last,  a  party  of 
rebels  from  New  England,  with  5  whale-boats  and  about  50  men, 
landed  at  Crane  Neck,  Setauket,  and  early  next  morning  went  to 
the  house  of  Capt.  Nathan  Woodhull,  which,  after  they  had  plun- 
dered, with  three  others  adjoining,  of  considerable  value,  carried 
Capt.  W.  and  his  son  along  with  them  ;  fortunately,  the  boats  were 
discovered  by  two  brigs  and  a  sloop  lying  in  the  Sound,  wTho  imme- 
diately gave  them  chase,  which  obliged  the  rebels  to  run  their  boats 
ashore  and  make  their  escape  to  the  woods,  leaving  their  boats  and 
plunder  behind.  The  goods  were  returned  to  their  owners,  and 
Capt.  W.  and  son  prevented  from  being  carried  off.  One  Dan'l 
Jackson,  of  Newark,  was  commander  of  the  party. 


102 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


On  Wednesday  morning,  June  20,  the  Associators  (in  the  brig 
Sir  H.  Clinton,  sloop  Association  and  brig  Keppel)  returning  from  an 
expedition  to  Conn.,  discovered  seven  rebel  boats  off  Setauket;  but  the 
rebels  being  too  near  the  shore  to  be  cut  off,  landed,  hauled  their 
boats  into  the  woods,  and  then  ran  off.  Capt.  Hubbel  landed  with 
all  his  force,  and  in  two  hours  brought  off  a  very  fine  12  oared  barge 
or  gunboat,  called  Gen.  Wooster,  with  two  swivels  and  a  blunder- 
buss, and  six  very  good  whale-boats,  most  of  which  are  entirely  new. 
Every  method  was  taken  to  discover  the  rebels  on  shore,  but  with- 
out success.  In  the  boats  was  found  a  quantity  of  plunder  worth 
£100. 

733.  June  22,  '81.  Caleb  Brewster  and  John  Grennel,  swear  to 
abuses  committed  on  L.  I.  by  whale-boats. 

List  of  Persons  Robbed. 
Selah  Strong,  Ruth  Blydenburgh,       David  Longbottom, 

 Tyler,  Sam'l  Hare,  Tho's  Hicks, 

Wm.  Brewster,        Cha's  Dallas,  Jona.  Tucker, 

John  Bailey,  Ja's  Smith,  Selah  Havens, 

David  Munroe,        Tim.  Smith,  Nath'l  Fanning, 

Mary  Taylor,  Edward  Tappan,  David  Gardiner, 

Ja's  Gardiner,   Langdon,  Ja's  M'Cleure ; 

Nath'l  and  Philip  Roe,  were  twice  plundered  and  once  whipped. 
X100  was  paid  to  ransom  a  house  from  being  burnt. — Trumbull,  xv.  27. 

734.  Aug.  3.  A  body  of  armed  men  with  fixed  bayonets,  came 
to  the  house  of  Gilbert  and  Simon  Fleet,  near  Huntington,  and  robbed 
the  2  families  of  all  the  money  and  plate  they  could  find  (in  their 
possession),  and  had  nigh  strangled  one  of  them  by  hanging  him  up 
to  a  beam  in  his  kitchen. — Aug.  15,  '81.  Gaine. 

735.  Wm.  Fowler  and  John  Strong  in  the  armed  boat  Wm.  the 
Conqueror,  took  a  small  skiff  in  Accabonic  Bay,  Aug.  23,  '81,  with 
300  lbs.  coffee,  and  120  lbs.  tea. 

736.  Sep.  14,  '81.  Two  whale-boats  with  40  armed  men  from 
Conn.,  landed  on  South  Hampton,  and  killed  and  dressed  4  sheep  of 
Jos.  Havens.  On  the  evening  of  15th  they  ransacked  the  house  of 
Nicoll  Havens,  Esq.,  on  Shelter  I.,  took  2  fowling-pieces,  a  silver- 
hilted  sword,  silver-mounted  hanger,  some  tea.  &c. ;  thence  to  Capt. 
Ja's  Havens',  took  a  watch-coat,  fowling-piece,  &c. ;  thence  to  Wi- 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


103 


dow  Payne's,  insulted  and  threatened  to  burn  the  house,  made  them 
produce  silver  tankard,  linen,  watch-coat,  fowling-piece,  &c.  16th 
they  landed  at  E.  end  of  Southold,  disarmed  the  people  on  their  way 
up  to  the  settlement,  and  fired  at  some  unarmed  people,  entered  the 
house  of  David  Gardiner  (who  was  about  removing  to  Conn.)  with 
fixed  bayonets,  took  goods  and  family  articles  ;  knocked  down  Jos. 
Peck.  On  their  way  down  to  the  shore,  they  beat  with  a  gun-breech 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lommedieu,  an  aged  couple,  threatened  to  burn  Wi- 
dow Moore's  house,  because  armed  men  had  assembled  there  to  re- 
sist them,  flashed  a  gun  at  John  Vail,  aged  60  ;  said  they  had  some 
of  Delancey's  cowboys  with  them,  would  burn  the  whole  town  if  op- 
position were  made,  and  put  men,  women  and  children  to  death. 

737.  A  representation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shelter  I.,  and  South- 
old  to  Gov.  Trumbull,  Sept.  21,  '81,  complaining  of  whale-boats,  signed 

Sam'l  Landon,  David  Conklin,  Jared  Langdon, 

Oba.  Vail,  Jos.  Peck,  Benj.  Prince, 

Jos.  Prince,  Benj.  Vail,  John  Hubbard. 

738.  N.  London,  Sep.  21,  '81.  400  of  Arnold's  men  landed  at 
Southold,  and  plundered  and  carried  off  to  the  value  of  £3000. 

739.  Before  Sep.  26,  '81.  Ebn'r  Conklin,  of  Norwalk,  took  at 
Huntington  sundry  pieces  of  calico,  lace,  cambric,  &c. 

740.  Petition  of  Suffolk  Co.  Refugees  in  Conn. 

Feb.  5,  '81.  Capt.  John  Grennel,  who  left  L.  I.  in  '76  with  his  fa- 
mily, and  is  now  reduced,  wishes  to  return  to  recover  some  debts. 

Mar.  8, '81.  Lodowick  HackstafF,  Jos.  Hibbard,  Tim.  Rand,  were 
taken  by  Americans  at  Greenwich. 

Mar.  20,  '81.  Mrs.  Shelton  and  Mr.  Strong,  living  at  Stratford, 
wish  to  visit  aged  parents  at  Brookbaven.  Elias  Howell,  at  Saybrook, 
May  22,  '81,  wishes  to  return  with  family  and  family  stores,  to  his  aged 
father  on  L.  I. 

Richard  Seamans,  a  refugee,  largely  engaged  in  illicit  trade  ;  also 
Win.  Hart  and  Kelsey. — No  date. 

Dr.  Wm.  Lawrence,  L.  1.  to  Saybrook,  employed  to  obtain  intelli- 
gence from  the  enemy,  and  had  permit  from  Gov.  Tryon  to  bring  off  his 
family,  furniture,  medicines,  &c. — Nov. '81  1 

Feb.  '81.  Jona.  Corwin — Southold  to  Norwich,  Sep.  '76 — served 
two  campaigns — discharged  for  infirmity,  wishes  to  return  with  family  to 


104 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


his  father's  estate.  Selah  Dickerson,  Dan'l  Booth,  Joshua  Horton,  Wm. 
Welles — Southold  to  Guilford — not  able  to  procure  subsistence — ask 
liberty  to  return — negatived. 

John  Goldsmith  fled  from  Southold  to  Guilford — asks  liberty  to  re- 
turn— n  e  ga  tived . 

Theoph's  Halsey,  S.  Hampton  to  E.  Haddam,  Sep.  '76,  leaving  a 
farm,  stock,  &c,  to  which  he  wishes  to  return,  as  he  has  spent  all  he 
brought  with  him. — May,  '81. 

John  Lloyd,  jr.,  at  Hartford,  fled  from  L.  L,  1776 — polls  and  stock 
exempted  from  taxation. 

Isaac  Overton — Southold  to  Norwich,  Sep.  1776 — infirm — allowed 
to  return. 

Benj.  Sears,  Zebedee  Osborn,  Theoph's  Halsey,  Dan'l,  Ezekiel,  Steph. 
and  Ed.  Howell,  Ezekiel  Stanford — S.  Hampton  to  E.  Haddam,  Sep. 
'76 — spent  their  property  and  desire  to  return. 

Eben'r  Wade — Southold  to  Guilford — asks  liberty  to  go  over  for 
money  for  property  sold,  and  to  carry  splints,  and  remain  3  weeks  to 
bottom  chairs. 

Ezekiel  Wicks,  a  commissioned  cruiser,  wants  his  family  removed 
from  L.  I.  to  Conn  — Sep.  4,  '81. 

Jesse  Wicks,  on  L.  I.,  has  aided  Whigs,  and  being  detected  by  Bri- 
tish, wants  to  remove  to  Conn. 

741.  Last  Sunday  night  a  party  of  rebels  commanded  by  Sam'l 
Heacock,  made  an  attempt  to  plunder  the  house  of  Moses  Jarvis, 
merch't  of  Huntington,  and  after  beating  down  the  doors,  one  of  the 
party  fired  into  the  chamber  window  where  Mr.  J.  and  his  wife  were 
standing,  but  fortunately  they  fell  back  at  the  flash,  but  not  soon 
enough  to  prevent  Mrs.  J.  from  being  wounded  in  the  breast  by  a 
buckshot.  Mr.  J.  being  exasperated  at  such  inhuman  conduct,  imme- 
diately returned  the  fire,  which  killed  Wm.  Lownsbury,  when  the 
whole  party  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation,  leaving  the  dead  man 
and  his  arms  on  the  spot. — Gaine,  Oct.  1,  '81. 

742.  N.  H.,  Oct.  11,  '81.  Tuesday  afternoon,  last  week,  150 
Continental  troops,  under  Major  Talmadge,  crossed  the  Sound  in 
boats,  and  landed  in  the  evening  near  a  small  fort  on  L.  L,  15  miles  E. 
of  Lloyd's  Neck,  which  they  approached  with  so  much  secrecy  that 
they  were  not  discovered  till  challenged  by  the  sentinel,  who  fired  on 
them  and  ran  into  the  fort,  but  was  followed  so  close  that  he  had  not 
time  to  shut  the  gate.    Some  opposition  was  made  as  our  people 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


105 


entered  the  fort,  and  4  of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  2  wounded,  but 
they  soon  surrendered.  The  fort,  barracks  and  magazines,  were 
destroyed.  Major  T.  returned  to  Fairfield  next  morning  with  20 
prisoners,  and  brought  off  70  muskets  and  a  brass  3  pounder.  We 
had  one  man  slightly  wounded. 

743.  There  was  a  garrison  of  140  men,  chiefly  woodcutters, 
well  armed  at  Fort  Slongo,  TreadwelPs  Neck,  8  miles  E.  of  Lloyd's 
Neck.    Col.  Tallmadge  says  in  his  Journal: 

"  On  evening  of  Oct.  2,  '81,  9  o'clock,  I  embarked  from  Sauga- 
tuck  River  part  of  my  detachment,  and  placed  Major  Trescott  at  the 
head  of  it,  with  orders  to  assail  the  Fort  on  a  particular  point.  The 
troops  landed  on  L.  I.  by  4  o'clock,  and  at  dawn  of  day  the  attack 
was  made  and  the  fortress  subdued.  The  Block-house  and  other 
combustible  materials  were  burnt,  and  the  troops  and  prisoners  re- 
turned in  safety,  bringing  off  one  piece  of  handsome  brass  field 
artillery. 

Gen.  Washington  congratulates  the  army  on  the  success  of  the 
American  arms  in  the  reduction  of  Fort  Slongo  on  the  morning  of 
Oct.  3,  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  and  only  one  wounded.  Of  the 
enemy,  2  Capts.,  1  Lt.,  and  18  privates  prisoners,  besides  several 
killed  and  wounded  and  2  iron  double-fortified  4  pounders  destroyed. 
The  colors  of  the  Fort,  a  brass  3  pounder,  a  number  of  small  arms, 
ammunition,  "&c,  are  the  trophies  of  the  victory. 

[Henry  Skudder  was  furnished  by  a  neighbor  with  a  draft  and 
description  of  Ft.  Slongo,  on  the  high  land  near  Smithtown  River. 
With  this  in  his  pocket,  in  making  his  way  to  his  boat  (hid  in  a  swamp) 
his  course  lay  through  a  forest,  in  the  middle  of  which  was  a  clear 
field  by  which  ran  the  road  from  Smithtown  to  Fresh  Pond.  Just  before 
sunset  he  heard  the  tramp  of  horses  ;  he  hid  behind  a  large  fallen  tree, 
under  which  he  could  see  50  or  60  light  horse  passing  within  10  rods 
of  him.    He  was  not  noticed  and  escaped  to  his  boat. — Ed.] 

744.  N.  London,  Oct.  16,  '81.  Capt.  Thos.  Parks,  in  a  small 
privateer,  and  Capt.  Wattles  of  the  Comet,  with  50  volunteers,  pro- 
ceeded to  Oyster  Pond,  where  they  discovered  2  galleys  near  Shelter 
I.  endeavoring  to  get  out  of  the  bay,  but  being  closely  pursued,  both 
galleys  ran  ashore  at  Southold,  and  the  people  (60  or  70)  made  their 
escape.  One  mounted  3,  the  other,  2  cannon;  16  muskets  and  a 
variety  of  articles  were  found  aboard.  They  had  been  cruising  in 
the  Vineyard  Sound. 


106 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


745.  Before  Oct.  17,  '81.  Nathan  Peet  Jackson,  of  Fairfield, 
took  cambrick,  gauze,  &c.,at  South  Hampton,  June  18;  also  sugar, 
muskets,  &c,  at  Sag  Harbor,  July  2 ;  also  44  yds.  check,  a  cable, 
&c,  at  Brook  Haven,  Aug.  4  and  5. 

746.  N.  London,  Nov.  1,  '81.  Last  Monday  night  3  deserters 
from  the  British  Regt.  stationed  at  Huntington  came  to  town. 

747.  N.  London,  Nov.  30,  '81.  Last  week  Major  Davis  and 
Capt.  Grinnel,  being  ashore  at  Sag  Harbor  with  several  men,  were 
betrayed  and  taken  prisoners  by  a  Hessian  Major  and  20  light  horse. 
They  had  2  armed  boats  with  them,  which  the  enemy  were  about 
setting  on  fire,  but  Capt.  Wickham  in  an  8  gun  sloop  from  Stoning- 
ton,  about  the  same  time  coming  to  near  the  boats,  brought  them  orF. 

Capt.  John  Grinnel  was  taken  at  S.  Hampton,  where  he  was  buying 
goods  for  N.  Y.  State,  Nov.  3,  '81,  and  was  kept  in  Provost  till  March 
26,  '82.  The  Legislature  in  '84  allowed  him  106  guineas  which  he  had 
spent  while  in  captivity. 

748.  Ap.  11,  '82.  Two  deserters  (natives)  came  to  N.  Haven 
from  Lloyd's  Neck. 

749.  Rob.  Roy.  Amer.  Gaz.,  May  23,  '82.  The  inhabitants  in 
Suffolk  Co.  give  their  thanks  to  Mr.  Walter  Humphreys,  Dep.  Com- 
missary of  forage,  serving  under  Dan'l  Wier,  Esq.,  Com.  Gen.,  &c, 
&c,  &c,  for  his  just  and  upright  conduct  in  receiving  and  weighing 
the  hay  and  straw  delivered  on  Lloyd's  Neck,  for  the  use  of  His 
Majesty's  troops,  and  for  his  ready  compliance  in  giving  proper 
receipts,  whereby  they  have,  or  may  by  immediate  application,  re- 
ceive their  payment.    Dated  Huntington,  March  27,  1782. 

Jacob  Brush,  Tim.  Carll,  Capt. ;  Eliph't  Chichester,  Hubbard  Conklin, 
Philip  Conklin,  Capt.  Lt.  ;  Gilbert  Fleet,  Lt. ;  Jona.  Jarvis,  John  and 
Ste.  Ketcham,  Jos.  Lewis,  President  ;  Jona.  Mills,  Jesse  Oakes,  Nath'l 
Oakley,  Sam'l  Philips,  Zophar  Piatt,  Justice  ;  Jonas  Rogers,  Collector 
of  Forage  ;  John  Rogers,  David  Rusco,  jr. ;  John  Squier,  Selah  Strong, 
Esq.  ;  Silas  Sammis,  Jas.  Sandford,  M.  D.  ;  Epenetus,  Caleb,  Aaron, 
Nath'l,  Philetus,  and  Jonas  Smith  ;  Henry  Titus,  John  Wickes,  Capt. 
Militia  ;  Dan'l  Wiggins,  M.  D.  ;  Nath'l  Williams,  jr.  ;  Nath'l  Wil- 
liams, Jonas  Williams,  Israel  Youngs,  Collector  of  Hay. 

750.  Riv.,  May  29,  '82.  On  15th,  Capt.  Marks  of  the  Delancey 
whale-boat  proceeded  up  the  Sound  to  the  neighborhood  of  Mattituck 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


107 


on  L.  I.,  where  he  discovered  a  whale-boat  commanded  by  Maj.  Ayres 
of  Stamford,  and  manned  with  8  men,  whom  he  attacked,  killed  Ayres, 
wounded  one,  took  his  boat,  oars,  muskets,  and  quantity  of  goods 
filched  from  the  honest  inhabitants,  who  feel  great  joy  at  the  example 
made  of  this  merciless  plunderer. 

751.  Sep.  4,  '82,  Riv.  Some  whale-boats  put  ashore  S.  side  of  L. 
I.,  near  B.  Haven,  and  robbed  the  house  of  Deacon  Hedges  of  sundry 
sorts  of  wearing  apparel  and  household  goods,  &c,  &c. 

752.  N.  London,  Sep.  6,  '82.  Last  Friday  6  deserters  from  the 
enemy  came  here  from  Oyster  Bay. 

753.  Sep.  8,  '82.  Capts.  Peter  Vail  and  John  Wilkinson,  from 
East  Haddam  in  2  whale-boats,  robbed  Henry  Conklin  at  Southold, 
of  dry  goods,  and  returned  to  Long  Branch.  They  first  went  to 
South  Bay,  landed  at  Canoe  Place,  and  robbed  a  wagon  of  tea  and 
powder. 

754.  N.  London,  Sep.  20,  '82.  Last  week,  two  armed  boats  from 
Con't  River,  crossed  the  Sound  and  landed  at  Canoe  Place :  the  peo- 
ple going  a  mile  or  two  on  the  Island,  met  a  man  with  a  box  of  tea, 
and  took  it  from  him.  They  afterwards  plundered  sundry  of  the  in- 
habitants of  cash  and  clothing.  The  next  morning  a  no.  of  people 
belonging  to  the  Island  assembled,  and  finding  the  boats'  crews  on  a 
beach,  dividing  their  goods,  they  fired  on  them,  killed  one  on  the  spot, 
mortally-  wounded  another,  who  died  soon  after,  and  badly  wounded 
2  others.    They  have  detained  5  of  the  boats'  crews. 

755.  Fishkill,  Dec.  5,  '82.  The  enemy  are  fortifying  Huntington. 
They  have  pitched  on  a  burying  yard,  and  have  dug  up  graves  and 
gravestones,  to  the  great  grief  of  the  people  there,  who,  when  they 
remonstrated  against  the  proceeding,  received  nothing  but  abuse. 

[See  Prime,  251.] 
The  inhabitants  were  made  to  assist  in  pulling  the  Church  down  by 
Col.  Thompson,  against  their  solemn  remonstrances,  and  its  materials 
used  for  the  Fort,  &c. 

Petitions  of  Suffolk  Co.  Refvgee.s,  Conn. 

756.  Jan.  '82.  Abijah  Corey — Southold  to  Branford — old,  poor, 
asks  to  bring  over  avails  of  his  property — allowed  under  inspection. 

Jos.  Moore — S.  Hampton  to  Canterbury — granted  exemption  from 
Poll  tax.  Oct.  '82. 


108 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


Wm.  Welles,  Southold  to  Guilford — asks  to  return — negatived. 

Jan.  '83. 

Oct.  25,  '82.  Nath'l  Gardiner  wants  to  return  to  E.  Hampton — 
has  served  in  army  till  July  last, — his  father,  Col.  Abm.  G.  died  Sept.  last. 

Nov.  '82.  Ichabod  Cole,  refugee  from  L.  I.  at  Lyme,  wants  to  sell 
his  farm  of  20  acres,  on  L.  I. — Nathan  Fordham,  of  E.  Haddam,  wants 
to  go  to  L.  I.  with  his  family.  Rev.  John  Storrs  (at  Mansfield)  wants 
to  return  to  L.  I. 

July  16,  '83.  Benj.  King,  of  Lyme,  wants  to  return  to  Southold. 
[Jeremiah  King  also  at  Lyme.] 

Feb.  27,  '83.  Eben'r  Piatt — at  Hartford — wants  to  go  to  L.I.  to  get 
cash. 

Mar.  4,  '83.  Maltby  Gelston,  at  E.  Haddam,  wants  to  carry  boards 
to  S.  Hampton  to  build  a  barn,  his  house  also  is  decayed.  John  Gelston 
wants  to  go  to  L.  I.  Jas.  Fanning  a  Whig  (who  has  been  in  N.  Caroli- 
na) wants  to  go  to  L.  I.  David  Howell,  late  of  S.  Hampton,  wants  to 
go  to  L.  I.  to  bring  off  flax,  and  wool  on  sheep-skins.  [Elias  Parshall 
is  at  New  Windsor.] 

757.  Mr.  Isaac  Smith,  of  Brook  Haven,  in  the  Virginia  priva- 
teer, was  killed  in  boarding  the  ship  Rennet.  He  was  an  officer  of 
Marines,  a  very  brave  man,  and  is  much  regretted. 

Rob.  Gaz.  Dec.  26,  '82. 

758.  Thos.  Wickham,  Esq.,  commander  of  an  armed  sloop,  took 
a  boat  laden  with  provisions,  bound  and  proceeding  on  a  voyage 
to  L.  I.  Jan.  30,  '83. 

759.  March  27,  '83.  Most  of  the  barracks  at  Huntington  are 
burnt,  reported  to  be  fired  by  the  soldiers,  who  are  dissatisfied  with 
the  service.  Whig  Paper. 

760.  By  permission  of  Gov.  Robertson,  a  lottery  for  the  benefit 
of  Caroline  Church  will  be  drawn  at  Brook  Haven  under  direction  of 
the  Wardens  and  vestry  of  the  Church.  Selah  Strong,  Esq.,  John 
Moore,  Esq.,  Joseph  Brewster  and  Henry  Nicoll,  Managers. 

Riv.  Ap.  9,  '83. 

761.  Henry  Hawley,  of  Stratford,  Con 't,  put  in  Provost,  May 
5,  '83,  for  carrying  a  sergeant  and  5  Yagers  from  Huntington  (who 
had  deserted)  to  the  N.  England  shore. 

762.  Four  deserters  from  the  enemy  came  to  N.  London,  via. 
L.  I.  May  23,  '83. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


109 


763.  Riv.  June  4,  '83.  Stolen  out  of  a  stable  at  Huntington, 
night  of  May  28,  2  chestnut  Horses,  belonging  to  Q.  M.  Gen.  De- 
part., marked  on  off  thighs  J.  C.  2  guineas  reward  will  be  paid  by- 
Col.  Dewormb  at  McGowan's  Pass. 

[TT  Any  officer  commanding  on  L.  I.  is  requested  to  forward  them. 

764.  $10  Reward.  Ran  away,  a  negro  man,  Retus,  speaks 
English  well  and  plays  on  the  fiddle,  took  with  him  a  pair  of  brown 
velvet  breeches,  fiddle,  &c. 

WM.  CLARKE. 

Brook  Haven,  July  8,  '83. 

765.  Isaac  Alger  and  Nath'l  Parker  put  in  Provost,  July  18,  '83, 
for  robbing  Piatt  Carll, — and  violently  beating  him  and  family,  were 
tried  by  Court  Martial,  and  ordered  to  be  executed  Sept.  10. 

766.  July  29,  '83.  An  affray  happened  between  Elisha  Brown 
of  N.  Hampton,  and  one  Norton,  late  of  L.  I.  (of  the  class  of  people 
called  Cowboys),  in  which  B.  was  killed.  Norton  escaped. 

767.  On  Thursday  last,  as  Solomon  Davis  (formerly  a  commander 
of  a  vessel  in  the  London  trade)  was  returning  in  his  wagon,  from 
N.  Y.  to  his  residence  at  Setauket,  he  was  intercepted  by  2  men, 
who  firing  their  pistols  or  fusils,  shot  him  dead  on  the  spot.  He  was 
not  robbed,  as  we  are  informed  that  his  watch  with  8  guineas  were 
found  in  his  pockets.  Gaine,  Aug.  4,  '83. 

John  Benson,  a  mulatto,  who  shot  Capt.  Sol.  Davis,  near  Jamaica, 
was  hung  at  N.  Y.  for  burglary,  Friday  before  Sep  26,  '85. — Loudon. 

768.  Annanias  Piatt,  John  Smith,  David  Ralph,  Nath.  Skudder, 
of  Huntington,  were  put  in  Provost,  Sep.  2,  '83,  accused  of  robbery 
on  L.  I.,  and  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  £100  sterling,  each,  in  15 
days  ;  or  should  his  Majesty's  troops  leave  before  that  time,  and  the 
fine  not  paid,  they  are  to  receive  1000  lashes  on  the  back,  with  the 
cat-o'nine-tails. — Cornelius  Carll,  Esa  Whitman,  Silas  Sammis,  and 
Jacob  Lawrence  were  put  in  Provost,  but  acquitted. 

Riv.  Nov.  '83. 

769.  What  money  may  have  been  loaned  to  the  State  by  the 
Whigs  of  Suffolk,  cannot  be  known  till  Gov.  Clinton's  papers  are 
made  accessible.    (See  Queens  Co.,  316.) 

In  '81,  Capt.  Nath'l  Norton  was  secretly  commissioned  by  Gov. 
Clinton,  to  obtain  loans  of  money  from  wealthy  Whig  inhabitants  of 
6 


110  ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF  SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


L.  I.  for  the  use  of  Gov't,  and  to  conceal  the  object,  he  was  appoint- 
ed to  the  command  of  the  "  Suffolk,"  which  cruised  between  Sands 
Point  and  N.  Haven.  He  obtained  large  sums  on  the  faith  of  Govern- 
ment. Thompson,  II.  496. 

There  are  many  traditions  of  the  war  to  which  we  can  barely 
allude  without  vouching  for  their  truth  :  such  as  that  a  Maj.  Davis, 
of  E.  Hampton,  became  a  prisoner  in  the  latter  part  of  the  war,  and 
died  in  N.  Y.  by  poison  administered  in  his  chocolate  ;  and  that  Maj. 
Strong  was  murdered  by  the  British,  and  that  Wm.  Tallmadge 
was  taken  at  the  battle  of  Brooklyn,  and  literally  starved  to  death  in 
prison,  and  that  Ezra  Weeks  waylaid  and  shot  a  British  officer. 

The  accounts  of  the  people  of  Huntington,  for  property  taken  by 
the  British,  supported  by  receipts  of  British  officers,  or  other 
evidence,  amounted  to  £7249.  9.  6  :  and  was  supposed  not  to  con- 
tain one-fourth  of  what  was  taken.  They  were  sent  to  N.  Y.  to  be 
laid  before  the  Commissioners, -but  were  not  attended  to. 

Wood's  L.  I.  p.  90. 

May  6,  '84.  The  Legislature  imposed  a  tax  of  £37,000  on  L.  I. 
(making  £10,000  for  Suffolk,  £13,000  for  Kings,  and  £14,000  for 
Queens,)  as  a  compensation  to  the  other  parts  of  the  State  for  not 
having  been  in  a  condition  to  support  the  war  from  '76  to  '83,  called 
the  "  back  tax."  Wood's  L.  I.  p.  '81. 

We  have  no  account  of  the  celebration  of  peace  in  Suffolk  Co. 
except  the  following : 

At.  return  of  peace  Col.  Tallmadge  visited  his  native  place, 
where  the  patriotic  citizens  got  up  a  festival,  roasted  an  ox  whole, 
and  made  the  Major  master  of  ceremonies.  Simms,  549. 

The  influences  of  war  are  always  demoralizing,  but  it  was  es- 
pecially disastrous  to  Suffolk.  Many  Whigs  had  abandoned  their 
farms  and  stock — fled  to  the  Main,  where  they  became  involved  in 
debt,  and  at  the  peace  returned  poor.  They  found  their  farms  out 
of  order,  buildings  dilapidated,  fences  gone,  stock  carried  off,  wood- 
land cut  off,  churches  deserted  or  torn  down.  No  doubt  the  Whigs 
sued  for  trespass  some  Loyalists  who  remained  behind,  but  we  have 
no  accounts  of  the  trials. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


REVOLUTIONARY  INCIDENTS 

OF 

KINGS  COUNTY. 


PART  I. 

REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT  KINGS  COUNTY. 

770.  Flatbush,  Ap.  15,  '75.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittee chosen  by  the  several  towns  of  Kings  County,  at  the 
County  Hall :  present  from  Flatbush,  David  Clarkson,  Ad- 
rian Voorhies,  Jacobus  Vandeventer,  John  Vanderbelt ;  from 
Bushwick,  Theodorus  Polhemus,  John  Titus,  Jost  Duryea, 
Abm.  Van  Ranst,  Abm.  Lequere  ;  from  Brooklyn,  Simon 
Boerum,  Henry  Williams,  Jeremiah  Remsen,  John  Suydam, 
Johannes  Bergen,  Jacob  Sharpe,  Rem  Cowenhoven  ;  from 
N.  Utreicht,  Petrus  Van  Pelt,  Denice  Denice,  Adrian  Hege- 
man  ;  from  Gravesend,  Richard  Stillwell,  Isaac  Denice ; 
Simon  Boerum,  Esq.,  was  chosen  Chairman,  when  it  was 
resolved  unanimously,  that  Simon  Boerum,  Richard  Stillwell, 
Theodorus  Polhemus,  Denice  Denice  and  Jeremiah  Vander- 
bilt,  or  a  major  part  of  them,  be  appointed  Deputies  to  the 
Convention,  for  choosing  Delegates  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  in  May. 

Justice  Cowenhoven  appeared  and  said,  that  Flatlands 


114 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


would  not  put  a  negative  on  the  proceedings,  but  chose  to 
remain  neutral. 

ABM.  VAN  RANST,  Clerk. 

111.  At  a  general  Town  Meeting,  regularly  warned,  at 
Brooklyn,  May  20,  '75,  the  Magistrates  and  Freeholders  met, 
and  voted  Jer.  Remsen,  Esq.,  into  the  chair,  and  Leffert 
Lefferts,  Esq.,  Clerk. 

Taking  into  our  serious  consideration  the  expediency  and 
propriety  of  concurring  with  the  freeholders  and  freemen  of 
the  City  and  County  of  N.  Y.,  and  the  other  Colonies,  Town- 
ships and  Precincts,  within  this  Province,  for  holding  a  Pro- 
vincial Congress  to  advise,  consult,  watch  over  and  defend, 
at  this  very  alarming  crisis,  all  our  civil  and  religious  rights, 
liberties  and  privileges,  according  to  their  collective  pru- 
dence. 

After  duly  considering  the  unjust  plunder  and  inhuman 
carnage  committed  on  the  property  and  persons  of  our 
brethren  in  the  Massachusetts,  who,  with  the  other  N.  Eng- 
land Colonies,  are  now  deemed  by  the  Mother  Country  to 
be  in  a  state  of  actual  rebellion,  by  which  declaration  Eng- 
land hath  put  it  beyond  her  own  power  to  treat  with  New 
England,  or  to  propose  or  receive  any  terms  of  reconciliation, 
until  those  Colonies  shall  submit  as  a  conquered  country. 
The  first  effort  to  effect  which  was  by  military  and  naval 
force,  the  next  attempt  is,  to  bring  a  famine  among  them, 
by  depriving  them  of  both  their  natural  and  acquired  right  of 
fishing.  Further  contemplating  the  very  unhappy  situation 
to  which  the  powers  at  home,  by  oppressive  measures,  have 
driven  all  the  other  Protestant  Provinces,  we  have  all  evils 
in  their  power  to  fear,  as  they  have  already  declared  all  the 
Provinces  aiders  and  abettors  of  rebellion  :  Therefore, 

1st.  Resolved,  That  Henry  Williams  and  Jer.  Remsen, 
Esqrs.,  be  now  elected  Deputies  for  this  Township,  to  meet 
May  22,  with  other  Deputies  in  Provincial  Convention,  in 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


115 


N.  Y.,  and  there  to  consider,  determine  and  do,  all  pruden- 
tial and  necessary  business. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  we,  confiding  in  the  wisdom  and 
equity  of  said  Convention,  do  agree  to  observe  all  warrantable 
acts,  associations  and  orders,  as  said  Congress  shall  direct. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  Town  Meeting, 

LEFFERT  LEFFERTS,  Clerk. 

772.  At  a  meeting  of  the  several  Deputies  of  the  different  Town- 
ships in  Kings  Co.,  (at  Flatbush,  May  22,  '75,)  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  Delegates  to  represent  said  County  in  Provincial  Congress, 
now  held  in  the  City  of  N.  Y. ;  agreeable  to  said  meeting,  they  here- 
by appoint  Richard  Stillwell,  Theodorus  Polhemus,  John  LefFerts, 
Nich.  Cowenhoven,  Johannes  E.  Lott,  John  Vanderbilt,  Henry 
Williams,  and  Jer.  Remsen,  Esqrs.,  or  any  three  of  them,  Delegates 
to  represent  and  fully  to  act  in  behalf  of  the  before-mentioned  County. 

ABM.  E.  LOTT,  Sec. 

773.  At  a  meeting  of  the  company  of  light  horse  for  Brooklyn,  Sep. 
15,  '75,  at  Adolph  Waldron's,  Innholder,at  Brooklyn  Ferry,  present 

Wm.  Boerum,  Rem  A.  Remsen,         Adolph  Waldron, 

Isaac  J.  Sebring,       David  Titus,  Geo.  Powers, 

Sam'l  Etherington,    Jos.  Smith,  Wm.  &  Thos.  Everitt, 

Jacob  Sebring,  jr.,     Jacob  Kemper,  John  Hicks, 

John  Reade,  John  Guest,  Wm.  Chardavoyne, 

Rob.  Galbraithe,       Nich.  Van  Dam,  Thos.  Hazard. 

Adolph  Waldron  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  Isaac  J.  Sebring, 
Clerk.  They  then  elected  Adolph  Waldron,  Capt. ;  Wm.  Boerum, 
1st  Lt.  (in  the  place  of  Rem.  A.  Remsen  declined)  ;  Thos.  Everitt, 
2d  Lt. ;  Jacob  Sebring,  jr.,  Cornet,  and  Isaac  Sebring,  Q.  M. 

774.  In  consequence  of  the  ill-success  of  the  British  arms  at  Bos- 
ton, the  Ministry  resolved  to  remove  the  seat  of  war  to  New- York, 
with  the  design  of  cutting  off  all  intercourse  between  the  Southern 
and  New  England  States. 

Gen.  Lee  with  1700  men  reached  N.Y.  Feb.  3,  '76,  for  the  purpose 
of  disarming  the  Loyalists  and  constructing  fortifications  in  and  about 
N.  Y.  He  barricaded  all  the  streets  leading  into  Broadway,  erected 
a  battery  on  an  eminence  in  the  rear  of  Trinity  Church,  at  Hellgate , 


116 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


the  Highlands,  Kingsbridge,  Paulus  Hook,  Red  Hook,  and  on  the 
N.  W.  side  of  Governor's  Island. 

Feb.  18,  he  posted  400  of  the  Penn.  troops  from  Wallabout  to 
Gowanus.  Those  who  could  not  procure  lodgment  were  billeted  on 
the  inhabitants  of  Brooklyn. 

775.  Feb.  28.  The  people  of  Brooklyn  wish  to  know  if  they 
shall  be  paid  for  billeting  soldiers.  Congress  allowed  them  7s.  per 
week  for  a  room  for  officers,  and  Is.  4 d.  for  privates. 

776.  New-York,  Feb.  23,  1776. 
Gen.  Lee  is  taking  every  necessary  step  to  fortify  and  defend 

the  city.  The  men  of  war  are  gone  out  of  our  harbor ;  the  Phenix 
is  at  the  Hook  ;  the  Asia  lies  near  Bedlow's  Island.  To  see  the 
vast  number  of  houses  shut  up,  one  would  think  the  city  almost 
evacuated.  Women  and  children  are  scarce  to  be  seen  in  the  streets. 
Troops  are  daily  coming  in  :  they  break  open  and  quarter  themselves 
in  any  houses  they  find  shut  up.  Mr.  Jacob  Walton  was  ordered  to 
give  up  his  house,  which  is  now  occupied  with  soldiers. 

FRED'K  RHINELANDER. 

777.  March  6,  '76.  Congress  recommended  to  the  Committee 
of  Kings  Co.,  to  furnish  Col.  Ward  brush  for  fascines,  wood  for 
pickets,  and  other  timber  to  complete  the  works  on  L.  I.  Col.  W. 
had  519  men.  Jour.  341. 

778.  Col.  Ward  was  ordered  (March  8)  to  detach  2  parties  of 
20  men  each,  with  3  days'  provisions,  in  order  to  stop  the  communi- 
cation of  the  people  with  the  Phenix.  He  was  to  hide  his  guard  in 
bushes  near  the  shore,  and  just  about  daylight  to  send  a  man  along 
shore  below  the  Narrows  to  cut  a  hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  boats,  or 
take  away  the  oars  and  sails.  He  was  also  to  seize  the  pilots — es- 
pecially one  Frank  Jones,  who  decoyed  vessels  to  the  Phenix. 

779.  March  6.  Lord  Stirling  succeeded  Gen.  Lee,  and  con- 
tinued in  command  till  Washington's  arrival  in  April. 

March  13,  '76.  Extract  from  Regulations  for  defence 
of  N.  Y.,  agreed  to  between  Stirling  and  Provincial  Con- 
gress, when  the  English  were  expected  from  Boston. 

X.  All  whites  and  negroes  shall  do  fatigue  duty. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


117 


C.  The  inhabitants  of  Kings  Co.  shall  give  assistance  to  Col. 
Ward,  by  turning  out  for  service  at  least  one  half  their  male  popu- 
lation (negroes  included)  every  day  at  the  fortifications,  with  spades, 
hoes,  and  pickaxes — to  begin  Friday  next. 

7.  A  guard  of  six  of  the  Kings  Co.  troop  to  be  posted  on  some 
heights  near  the  west  end  of  Nassau  Island,  to  reconnoitre  the  en- 
trance of  the  enemy  into  Sandy  Hook,  or  their  appearance  on  the 
coast,  and  give  immediate  information  to  the  commanding  officer. — 
See  Queens  Co.,  42. 

Capt.  Waldron's  light  horse  kept  a  look-out  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Kings  Co.  till  Ap.  10,  when  Col.  Hand's  regiment  of  riflemen  was 
stationed  at  N.  Utrecht. 

[Waldron  lived  at  Preakness,  N.  J.,  during  the  war. — Ed.] 

780.  Ap.  15,  '76.  Monday  night  1000  Continental  troops  took 
possession  of  Governor's  Island  and  began  to  fortify  it,  and  a  regi- 
ment went  over  to  Red  Hook  and  fortified  it  likewise. — Gaine. 

June  11,  '76.  I  am  now  stationed  at  Red  Hook,  about  4  miles  from 
N.  Y.  It  is  on  an  island  situated  so  as  to  command  the  entrance  of  the 
harbor  entirely,  where  we  have  a  fort  with  four  18  pounders,  to  fire  en 
barbette,  that  is,  over  the  top  of  the  works,  which  is  vastly  better  than 
firing  through  embrasures,  as  we  can  now  bring  all  our  guns  to  bear  on 
the  same  object  at  once.  The  fort  is  named  Defiance,  and  thought  to 
be  one  of  the  most  important  posts  we  have. 

There  are  two  families  here, — Mr.  Van  Dyke  and  his  son,  good 
stanch  Whigs,  and  very  clever  folks.  I  rode  out  with  the  young  man 
to  Flushing,  16  miles  off,  where,  and  in  most  of  the  country  towns  about, 
the  forces  from  the  city  have  taken  shelter.  Scarce  a  house  we  rode 
by,  but  Mr.  Van  Dyke  would  say,  "  there  lives  a  rascally  Tory." — Shaw. 

When  the  Rose  and  Phenix  ran  by  our  batteries,  July  12,  they  did 
not  compliment  Red  Hook  so  much  as  to  return  her  fire,  being,  as  Shaw 
says,  two  miles  distant. — Ed. 

781.  Explanation  of  the  American  Lines  of  Defence  at  New-York. 

See  DIap. 

a.  M'Dougal's  Battery,  on  a  hill  west  of,  and  very  near,  Trinity 
Church. 

b.  Fort  George,  now  the  Battery.  North  of  it  was  the  "  Broadway 
Barrier,"  near  the  Bowling  Green,  or  King's  Statue.    It  had  2  guns. 

c.  Battery  at  the  ship  yards. 

6* 


118 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


d.  Crown  Point  Battery,  now  Corlaer's  Hook. 

e.  Main,  or  Battery  Channei,  where  I  think  chevaux  de  frise  were 
sunk. 

/.  Governor's  Island. 

g.  Fort  at  Red  Hook,  on  Long  Island.    It  had  5  guns. 

h.  Fort  Stirling,  between  Hicks  and  Clinton  streets,  and  east  of 
Pierrepont — open  in  the  rear  ;  on  land  of  Jacob  Hicks.  It  had  7  guns. 

i.  Fort  Putnam,  on  a  hill  then  covered  with  heavy  wood,  (Conover's 
Boschje,)  which  was  partly  cut  down.    It  had  5  guns. 

j.  Fort  Greene — the  southeast  front  of  the  Lines  on  land  of  Johan- 
nis  Debevoice  and  Rutger  Vanbrunt.    It  had  5  guns. 

k.  A  conical  hill,  very  steep,  called  Ponkiesbergh,  Cobble  Hill,  or 
Corkscrew  Fort.  It  had  3  guns.  "  The  trenches  went  round  and 
round,  and  it  had  a  platform  on  top  for  cannon."  So  says  and  old 
soldier. 

Z.  Redoubt  at  the  Mill,  (was  it  Fort  Box  ?)  on  Nicholas  Boerum's 
hill.    It  commanded  the  Mill  (4),  and  had  one  gun. 

Batteries  in  and  near  yew-York,  March  24,  '76. — Force,  V.  480. 

Grenadier's,  or  Circular  Battery,  5  guns,  near  the  air-furnace  on  the 
bank  of  the  North  River. 

Jersey's  Battery,  5  guns,  a  little  to  the  northward  of  the  first. 

M'Dougall's  Battery,  4  guns,  to  the  west  of  Trinity  Church,  and 
very  near  it. 

Broadway  Barrier,  2  guns,  very  near  the  Bowling  Green,  or  King's 
Statue. 

Coentie's  Battery,  5  guns,  on  Ten  Eyck's  wharf. 

Stirling's  Battery,  8  guns,  on  L.  I.,  and  nearly  opposite  the  Fly 
Market.  In  the  rear  of  this  there  is  to  be  a  citadel,  which  will  take  up 
about  5  acres,  called  The  Congress. 

Waterbury's  Battery,  7  guns,  at  the  ship  yards. 

Badlam's  Battery,  8  guns,  on  Rutger's  first  hill,  just  above  the  last 
mentioned. 

Thompson's  Battery,  9  guns,  at  Hoorne's  Hook. 

Independent  Battery,  L2  guns,  on  Bayard's  Mount. 

Besides  the  above,  there  is  a  breast- work,  or  barrier,  at  Peck's,  Beek- 
man's,  Burling's,  and  Fly  Slips  ;  also  at  the  Coffee  House,  Old  Slip, 
Coentie's  Market  and  the  Exchange,  and  one  midway  of  Broad-st.  of 
this  construction  ;  and  the  same  are  made  in  several  streets 

leading  from  the  North  River  to  Broadway.  Also  a  line  of  circumvalla- 
tion  from  river  to  river. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


119 


Names  of  Batteries,  May  22,  '76,  at  New-York  City. 

Grand  Battery,  south  part  of  town,  thirteen  32  pounders,  one  24, 
three  18's,  two  12's,  one  brass  mortar,  3  iron  mortars  prepared. 

Fort  George,  immediately  above  it,  two  12  pounders,  four  32's. 

White  Hall  Battery,  left  of  Grand  Battery,  two  32  pounders. 

Oyster  Battery,  behind  Washington's  head-quarters,  two  32  pound- 
ers, three  12's. 

Grenadier's,  or  Circular  Battery,  near  Brewhouse  on  N.  River,  three 
12  pounders,  2  mortars  prepared. 

Jersey  Battery,  left  of  Grenadier,  two  12  pounders,  three  32's. 

Bayard's  Hill  redoubt,  9  eight  pounders,  four  3's,  six  royal  and  co- 
horn  mortars. 

Spencer's  Redoubt,  on  a  hill  where  Gen.  Spencer  is  encamped,  two 
12  pounders,  four  field-pieces  proposed. 

Waterbury's  Battery,  is  a  fascine  Battery  on  a  wharf  below  Spen- 
cer's redoubt,  two  12  pounders. 

Badlam's  Redoubt,  is  on  a  hill  directly  above  it,  near  Jew's  burying 
ground. 

On  Long  Island. 

At  the  redoubts  are  no  artillery  men,  two  12  pounders,  two  9's,  four 
3's  of  brass. 

Fort  Stirling,  Lt.  Randall  and  12  men,  four  32  pounders,  two  18's. 
Red  Hook,  Capt.  Foster,  one  3  pounder,  four  18's. 
Governor's  Island,  Capt.  Craft,  four  18  pounders,  four  32's. 

Faulus  Hook,  Capt.  Dana  proposed,  two  12  pounders,  three  32's, 
two  3's. 

The  Park,  as  a  reserve,  Capt.  Drury,  to  be  run  where  the  enemy 
makes  the  greatest  attack,  twelve  6  pounders,  eight  3's,  one  24,  three 
3's,  nine  12's. 

782.  Officers  chosen  by  the  different  Companies  in  Kings  Co., 
who  have  signed  the  Declaration  and  taken  their  Com- 
missions.— March,  '76. 

LIGHT  HOESE. 

Brooklyn.— Adolph  Waldron,  Capt. ;  Wm.  Boerum,  1st  Lt. ;  Thos. 
Everitt,  2d  Lt. ;  Jacob  Sebring,  Ensign  ;  Isaac  Sebring,  Q.  Master. 

Kings  Co. — Lamb't  Suydam,  Capt.  ;  Dan'l  Rapelye,  1st  Lt. ;  Jacob 
Bloom,  2d  Lt.  ;   Peter  Vandevoort,  Ensign  ;  Peter  WykofT,  Q.  Master. 


120 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


MILITIA. 

Flatlands. — Jeremiah  Vanderbilt,  Capt. ;  Albert  Stoohoff,  1st  Lt. ; 
Thos.  Elsworth,  2d  Lt.  ;  Peter  Vanderbilt,  Ensign. 

Gravesend. — Rem  Williamson,  Capt.  ;  Samuel  Hubbard,  1st  Lt. ; 
Garret  Williamson,  2d  Lt.  ;  John  Lane,  Ensign. 

Half  of  Brooklyn. — Barent  Johnson,  Capt. ;  Barent  LefTerts,  1st  Lt. ; 
Jost  Debevoice,  2d  Lt.  ;  Martin  Schenck,  Ensign. 

Flatbu^h. — Cornelius  Vandeveer,  Capt.  ;  Peter  LefTerts,  1st  Lt.  ; 
John  Vanduyn,  2d  Lt.  ;  John  Benham,  Ensign. 

Half  of  Brooklyn. — Fer'd  Suydam,  Capt. ;  Simon  Bergen,  1st  Lt.  ; 
Wm.  Brower,  2d  Lt.  ;  Jacob  Stellenwert,  Ensign. 

Bushwyck. — John  Titus,  Capt.  ;  Abm.  Van  Ranst,  1st  Lt. ;  Peter 
Colyer,  2d  Lt.  ;  John  Skillman,  Ensign. 

N.  Utrecht. — Adrian  Van  Brunt,  Capt.  ;  Adrian  Hegeman,  1st  Lt. ; 
Harmanus  Barkulo,  2d  Lt. ;  Wm.  Barre,  Ensign. 

783.  March  11,  '76.    Kings  Co.  Committee  appointed  : 
Rutgert  Van  Brunt,  Col.  ;  Nich.  Cowenhoven,  Lt.  Col. ;  Johan- 
nes Titus,  1st  Major;  John  Vanderbilt,  2d  Major  ;  Geo.  Carpenter, 
Adj.;  Nich.  Cowenhoven,  Q.  M.  of  their  Regiment  of  militia. 

Jour.  351. 

784.  Feb.  18,  '76.  Congress  requests  the  attendance  of  the 
absent  members  from  Kings  Co.  Accordingly  Messrs.  Cowenhoven, 
Vanderbilt,  Vanbrunt  and  Lefferts,  take  their  seats. 

[Their  previous  attendance  had  been  quite  irregular. — Ed.] 

Ap.  16,  '76.  John  Lefferts,  Nich.  Cowenhoven,  Jeremiah  Remsen, 
Theodorus  Polhemus,  Leffert  Lefferts,  Rutgert  Vanbrunt,  Jeremiah 
Vanderbilt  and  John  Vanderbilt,  were  chosen  to  make  a  representation 
out  of  their  body  for  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  that  any  four,  three, 
two,  or  one,  may  be  a  quorum,  as  appears  by  the  certificate  of  John 
Lefferts,  Chairman,  and  Abm.  Van  Ranst,  Clerk  of  the  Committee  of 
Kings  Co. 

785.  June  21,  '76.  Convention  recommend  that  all  boats  in 
the  bay  S.  and  S.  W.  of  Kings  Co.,  be  drawn  up,  and  the  oars  and 
sails  secured,  so  as  to  prevent  the  communication  of  the  disaffected 
with  the  enemy. 

June  21.  Col.  G.  Brewerton,  at  Flatlands,  was  summoned  be- 
fore Congress.    Mayor  Matthews  was  seized  at  Flatbush.  His 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


house  surrounded  one  o'clock  at  night,  and  a  vain  search  made  for 
his  papers.    He  was  sent  to  Conn,  where  he  broke  jail  and  escaped. 

786.  Col.  Van  Brunt  delivered  to  Congress  the  quota  of  Kings 
Co.,  to  reinforce  the  Continental  Army  at  N.  Y.,  viz.  :  58  men  and 
Jacques  Rapalje,  Capt.,  and  Geo.  Carpenter,  2d  Lt. — June  27,  '76. 

787.  On  Thursday,  the  Asia  being  in  rear  of  the  British  fleet 
in  the  Narrows,  was  fired  on  by  a  small  battery  on  L.  I.,  when  she 
returned  the  compliment  with  forty  24  pounders.  One  of  which 
lodged  in  the  wall  of  Mr.  Bennet's  house,  and  3  shot  had  near  done 
damage  to  Mr.  Denyse's  house,  one  missed  his  kitchen,  a  2d  struck 
his  barn,  and  a  3d  destroyed  the  garden  fence  opposite  the  front  door 
of  the  mansion  house.  July  8,  '76. 

788.  Gen.  Howe  to  Lord  Geo.  Germaine. 

Stalen  Island,  July  7,  8,  '76. 
The  Halifax  fleet  arrived  June  29,  at  Sandy  Hook,  where  I  arrived 
four  days  sooner.  I  met  with  Gov.  Tryon  on  board  ship  at  the  Hook,  and 
many  gentlemen,  fast  friends  to  Government,  attending  him,  from  whom  I 
have  had  the  fullest  information  of  the  state  of  the  Rebels,  who  are  numer- 
ous and  very  advantageously  posted,  with  strong  intrenchments,both  upon 
L.  I.  and  at  N.  Y.,  with  more  than  100  pieces  of  cannon  for  the  defence  of 
the  town  towards  the  sea,  and  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  the  fleet  up  the 
North  river,  besides  a  considerable  field  train  of  artillery.  We  passed 
the  Narrows  with  three  ships  of  war,  and  the  1st  division  of  transports ; 
landed  the  Grenadiers  and  Light  Infantry,  as  the  ships  came  up,  on  this 
Island,  to  the  great  joy  of  a  most  loyal  people,  long  suffering  on  that  ac- 
count under  the  oppression  of  the  Rebels  stationed  among  them,  who 
precipitately  fled  on  the  approach  of  the  shipping.  The  remainder  of 
the  troops  landed  next  day  and  night,  and  are  now  distributed  in  canton- 
ments, where  they  have  the  best  refreshments.  I  propose  waiting  here 
for  the  English  fleet,  or  for  the  arrival  of  Lt.  Gov.  Clinton,  in  readiness 
to  proceed,  unless  by  some  unexpected  change  of  circumstances  it  should 
in  the  mean  time  be  found  expedient  to  act  with  the  present  force. 

To  the.  Hon.  Provincial  Congress,  July  26. 

789.  Whereas  Col.  Rutgert  Van  Brunt  has  demanded  every 
fourth  man  of  our  companies, — we,  Jeremiah  Vanderbilt,  Cornelius 
Vandeveer,  Barent  Johnson,  Lambert  Suydam,  Rem  Williamson, 
and  John  Titus,  Captains  of  Kings  Co.  militia,  pray  Congress  to 
indulge  us  with  ft  men  under  our  command  to  execute  said  Re- 


122 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


solves  of  July  20,  relating  to  Kings  Co.  stock,  without  being  paid, 
provided  it  be  in  Kings  Co.,  and  we  promise  to  be  ready  when  called 
on,  to  drive  stock  into  the  interior,  guard  the  coast  and  protect  the 
inhabitants. 

[July  30.  Congress  refused  the  above  request. — Ed.] 

790.  Aug.  10.  The  Convention  having  heard  that  Kings  Co. 
had  determined  not  to  oppose  the  enemy,  ordered  a  Committee  to  re- 
pair to  said  County,  and  if  the  report  should  be  true,  to  disarm  and 
secure  the  disaffected  inhabitants ;  remove  or  destroy  the  stock  of 
grain,  and  if  necessary,  lay  the  whole  county  waste,  and  for  the  execu- 
tion of  these  purposes,  to  apply  to  Gen.  Greene  for  such  assistance  as 
they  may  want.  Jour.  568. 

791.  Col.  Conover,  Aug.  14,  '76,  requests  Commissions  for 
Thos.  Lane,  Capt. ;  Nich.  Vanbrunt,  1st  Lt. ;  Mich'l  Van  Cleef,  2d 
Lt. ;  to  command  the  drafts.  Also  for  Harmanus  Casper,  Lt.,  to 
command  20  men,  not  militia,  but  to  be  under  Capt.  Lane. 

792.  Kings  Co.  not  having  elected  any  deputies  since  May  last, 
Mr.  Polhemus  (Aug.  14)  appeared  in  Convention,  and  said  the 
County  Committee  had  met,  and  directed  him  to  attend  as  a  member, 
until  another  election  is  had — ordered  that  Mr.  Polhemus  take  his 
seat  and  represent  said  County,  except  in  matters  which  related  to 
the  formation  of  Government.  Journal,  572. 

793.  The  Convention  vote  the  election  of  Kings  Co.  Aug.  19, 
defective,  as  the  Deputies  are  not  authorized  to  frame  a  new  form  of 
government. — New  election  ordered,  Aug.  24,  but  never  held. 

794.  Kings  Co.  Troop  of  Horse. 
Lambert  Suydam,  Capt.  *Dan'l  Rapalje,  1st  Lt. 

*  Jacob  Bloom,  2d  Lt.  Peter  Wykoff,  Q.  M. 

*Peter  Vandevoort,  Ensign.  Hend'k  Suydam,  Cl'k. 

*Hend'k  Johnson,  Serg't.  Hend'k  Suydam,  jr.,  Serg't. 

John  Nostrand,     do.  *John  Blaw,  Trumpeter. 

Privates. 

*Reynier  Suydam,         Jacob  Suydam,  Isaac  Boerum, 

*John  Variderveer,        Isaac  Snedeker,  John  Ryerson, 

Rutgert  Vanbrunt,       Chas.  Debevois,  Benj.  Seaman, 

Roelof  Terhune,  Andrew  Casper,  ^os.  Betts, 

Martin  Kershaw,         Peter  Miller,  Hend'k  Wykoff. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


123 


Brooklyn  Troop  of  Horse. 


*Wm.  Boerum,  1st  Lt. 
*Jacob  Sebring,  Ensign. 


Thos  Everitt,  2d  Lt. 
*Isaac  Sebring,  Q.  M. 


Privates. 


* Joseph  Sebring, 
*Wm.  Elsworth, 
*Wm.  Boerum, 
Wm.  Everitt, 
Robert  Galbraith, 


*John  Hicks,  *George  Powel, 

*Jerem'h  Brower,  *  James  Casper. 
*Adolphus  Brower,       Joseph  Smith, 


Abm.  Rapalje,  Stephen  Schenck, 

Sam'l  Etherington,      Nicholas  Vandam. 


[The  above  Troops  were  first  in  service  under  Gen.  Greene,  who 
bid  them  seize  for  Commissary  Brown  the  fat  stock  of  the  disaffected  ; 
next  they  drove  off  stock  under  Gen.  Woodhull;  after  the  defeat  at 
Brooklyn,  as  they  were  proceeding  east  to  join  Col.  Livingston,  they 
were  ordered  off  the  Island  by  Col.  Potter,  and  accordingly,  those  to 
whose  name  a  star  is  prefixed,  crossed  the  Sound  at  Huntington  to  Nor- 
walk,  leaving  their  horses  behind,  which  were  lost  to  them.  The  men 
were  in  Duchess  Co.,  Oct.  4,  '76,  in  destitute  circumstances,  and  re- 
ceived their  pay  from  the  Convention. — MS.  Jour.,  XVII,  529,  and 
XXXII,  46,  62. 

P.  Vandevoort,  jr.,  left  father,  mother,  wife,  and  two  children  at 
Bedford,  and  had  not  yet  seen  them,  Feb.  14, '82,  when  he  was  at  Fish- 
kill. — Ed.] 

795.  Washington  came  to  N.  York  before  April  13,  and  ap- 
pointed'Greene  to  superintend  the  fortifications  on  L.  I.  This  gen- 
eral had  made  himself  acquainted  with  every  pass  and  defile  leading 
to  the  city,  but  unfortunately,  a  few  days  before  the  battle,  from  over 
exertion,  he  was  brought  down  with  bilious  fever.  Sullivan  took 
his  place  till  Aug.  23,  when  Putnam  took  command  within  the 
Lines.    Stirling  and  Sullivan  appear  to  have  acted  under  him. 


These  were  distributed  on  Governor's,  York,  and  Long  Island, 
Paulus  Hook,  and  Hurlgate. 


Aug.  3.  Beturn  of  American  Army  at  N.  Y. 
Present  fit  for  duty,  10,514 
Present  sick,  3,039 
Absent  sick,  629 
Absent  on  command,  2,946 
Absent  on  furlough,  97 


Total. 


17,225 


124 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


A  Whig  paper  thus  sums  up  the  British  army  : 

8,000  men  who  sailed  with  Howe  from  Halifax, 
2,350  Scotch  Troops, 

2,500  defeated  Troops  of  Cornwallis  and  Clinton,  from  Sullivan's 
Island, 

9,000  Hessians  and  English  guards, 
150  Dunmore's  Negroes,  Tories,  &c. 

22,000 

5,000  3d  division  of  Hessians  expected. 

April  28,  '76.  The  Regiments  of  Cols.  Hand,  Learned,  Reed, 
Nixon,  Stark,  Prescott,  Varnum,  Parsons,  Hitchcock,  Little,  Reed, 
Huntington,  Webb,  Arnold,  Ward,  Wyllys,  Bailey,  Wayne,  Wind, 
McDougall,  Ritzema,  Dayton,  Irvine,  and  Baldwin,  were  at  N.  Y.  con- 
sisting of  10,325  men.  Force  V,  1151,  1198. 

In  July,  Col.  Furman's  N.  J.  Levies,  Col.  Van  Cortland's,  Col. 
Bradley's,  and  Col.  Carey's  Regiments  were  stationed  at  N.  Y. 

Hinman  says  14  Regiments  of  Conn.  Militia,  (9  or  10,000)  under 
Gen.  Wolcot,  were  ordered  to  N.  Y.  But  Washington  says  only  9  Regi- 
ments (3,150)  arrived  before  Aug.  16  ;  and  3  Regiments  (1,120)  Aug. 
19  ;  in  all,  4,170  men.  If  two  more  Regiments  should  be  added,  the 
number  of  militia  would  hardly  equal  half  of  that  stated  by  Hinman. 

Aug.  26.  Washington  writes,  "  There  are  here  9  militia  regiments 
from  Conn,  of  350  men  each." 

After  the  battle  of  Aug.  27,  the  militia  disbanded  and  went  home. 
The  regular  troops  were  in  one  division  of  two  brigades  under  Maj. 
Gen.  Spencer  and  Brig.  Gens.  Wadsworth  and  Parsons. 

Hinman,  p.  59. 

July  17.  Washington  writes,  "  The  Conn,  light  horse  are  now  dis- 
charged, though  their  assistance  is  much  needed,  having  peremptorily 
refused  all  kind  of  fatigue  duty,  or  even  to  mount  guard,  claiming  an 
exemption  as  troopers." 

[It  is  a  popular  story  on  L.  I.,  that  Washington  or  Putnam  had  their 
quarters  at  the  Cortelyou  House.  In  fact  they  were  neither  ever  outside 
the  Lines  at  Brooklyn.  Washington's  quarters  were  in  N.  Y.  He 
went  over  to  Brooklyn  after  the  Battle  had  begun,  Aug.  27. — Ed.] 

796.  Howe  determined  to  carry  the.  works  on  L.  I.,  when 
the  city  itself  would  fall  an  easy  prey  into  his  hands.  Aug.  22, 
15,000  men  were  landed  at  Bath  under  cover  of  armed  vessels 
warped  in  Gravesend  Bay.    The  rifle  regiment  under  Col.  Hand 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


125 


made  no  opposition,  but  withdrew  to  the  Lines,  setting  fire  to  the 
stacks  of  hay  and  grain. 

Howe  established  his  quarters  at  N.  Utrecht.  Cornwallis  was 
ordered  to  Flatbush,  where  he  had  some  skirmishing  with  the  Ameri- 
can outposts. 

"  On  Friday,  23d,  a  party  of  British  took  possession  of  Flatbush, 
which  brought  on  a  hot  fire  from  our  troops  who  are  advantageously 
posted  in  woods  and  on  every  eminence.  An  advanced  party  are  en- 
camped a  little  to  the  N.  W.  of  Flatbush  Church,  and  have  a  battery 
somewhat  west  of  Jer'h  Vanderbilt's,  whence  they  fire  briskly  on  our 
people,  who  often  approach  and  discharge  rifles  within  200  yds.  of  their 
works.  One  of  our  gunners  threw  a  shell  into  Mr.  Axtell's  house  where 
a  number  of  officers  were  at  dinner,  but  we  have  not  heard  what  damage 
it  did." 

Aug.  23.  This  afternoon  the  enemy  formed  and  attempted  to  pass 
the  wood  by  Bedford,  [Flatbush  ?]  and  a  smart  fire  between  them  and  the 
riflemen  ensued.  A  number  of  musquetry  came  up  to  the  assistance  of 
the  riflemen,  whose  fire  with  that  of  the  field  pieces  caused  a  retreat  of 
the  enemy.  Our  men  followed  to  the  house  of  Judge  Lefferts,  (where  a 
number  of  them  had  taken  lodgings),  drove  them  out,  and  burned  the 
house  and  contiguous  buildings.  We  have  driven  them  half  a  mile 
from  their  former  station.  Sullivan. 

Aug.  24.  Washington  disapproves  of  a  scattering,  unmeaning,  and 
wasteful-  fire  from  our  people  at  the  enemy. 

Washington's  Instructions  to  Putnam,  Aug.  25. 

The  wood  next  Red  Hook  should  be  well  attended  to.  Put  some 
of  the  most  disorderly  riflemen  into  it.  The  militia  are  the  most 
indifferent  troops  and  will  do  for  the  interior  works,  whilst  your  best 
men  should,  at  all  hazards,  prevent  the  enemy's  passing  the  wood  and 
approaching  the  works.  The  woods  should  be  secured  by  abatis ; 
traps  and  ambuscades  should  be  laid  for  their  parties  sent  after  cattle. 

Aug.  26.  Considerable  reinforcements  are  sent  over  to  L.  I. 
There  was  a  little  skirmishing  and  irregular  firing  between  the  British 
and  American  advanced  guards,  in  which  Col.  Martin  of  the  New  Jer- 
sey Levies  received  a  wound  in  his  breast,  and  a  private  had  his  leg 
broke  by  a  cannon  ball,  and  another  received  a  musket  ball  in  his  groin. 
[Hermanus  Rutgers  was  struck  in  the  breast  by  a  6  lb.  shot  at  the  Flat- 
bush Pass  and  fell  forward  dead.  Many  curious  particulars  may  be  found 
in  Strong's  Flatbush.— Ed.} 


126 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


797. 


A  Proclamation. 


By  his  Excellency,  the  Hon.  WM.  HOWE,  General  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  all  His  Majesty's  forces  within  the  Colonies 
lying  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  frem  Nova  Scotia  to  West  Florida, 
inclusive,  <SfC,  <fyc.,  <Src. 
Whereas,  it  is  represented  that  many  of  the  loyal  inhabitants  of 
this  Island  have  been  compelled  by  the  leaders  in  rebellion,  to  take 
up  arms  against  His  Majesty's  Government,  Notice  is  hereby  given 
to  all  persons  so  forced  into  rebellion,  that  on  delivering  themselves 
up  at  said  quarters  of  the  Army,  they  will  be  received  as  faithful 
subjects,  have  permits  peaceably  to  return  to  their  respective  dwel- 
lings, and  meet  with  full  protection  for  their  persons  and  property. 
All  those  who  choose  to  take  up  arms  for  the  restoration  of  order 
and  good  government  within  this  Island,  shall  be  disposed  of  in  the 
best  manner,  and  have  every  encouragement  that  can  be  expected. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  Head  Quarters  on  Long  Island,  Aug. 


By  his  Excellency's  command.      ROB'T  MAKENSIE,  Sec. 
798.    Examination  of  Col.  Covenhoven,  at  Harlem,  Aug.  28, 
suspected  of  giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  arrested  by  order 


"  Left  L.  I.  Sunday  morning,  Aug.  25 — came  last  from  Wiihelmus 
Stoothoof's  Island.  The  day  the  enemy  landed,  as  he  was  returning 
from  the  lines,  he  was  taken  by  them,  and  treated  roughly,  took  his 
sword  and  cockade  and  carried  him  to  Head-quarters,  was  politely  re- 
ceived by  Gen.  Howe,  who  asked  him  if  he  would  stay  at  home,  and 
send  his  produce,  which  he  'promised  to  do.  They  sent  for  him  a  2d 
time  same  day,  ordered  him  to  get  fowls,  &c.  Under  pretence  of  which, 
he  went  off,  got  a  horse  and  went  to  Gen.  Washington  and  asked  him 
what  part  he  should  take,  who  directed  him  to  go  back  and  collect  in- 
formation, which  he  did,  and  sent  it  to  Washington,  and  got  back  with- 
out being  missed.  They  never  questioned  him  further.  He  afterwards 
met  some  Hessians,  who  took  him  to  get  cows,  and  agreed  among  them- 
selves, in  Hessian  language,  to  put  him  to  death,  after  he  had  shown 
them  the  cows,  as  they  were  forbid  to  kill  cattle.  He  showed  them  a 
cow  and  left  them.  Most  of  the  stock  had  been  driven  off  before.  He 
then  went  to  Flatlands,  where  he  saw  many  Regulars  and  Gov.  Tryon. 
Gens.  Howe,  Clinton  and  Pigot,  were  on  the  Island,  and  were  joined  by 


23,  1776. 


WM.  HOWE. 


of  the  Convention. 


Jour.  598. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


127 


a  few  people  from  the  Island.  Left  L.  I.  on  Sunday  to  come  to  Con- 
gress, and  was  arrested  when  he  got  to  McGo wen's  at  Harlem. 

[Parson  Schoonmaker  requested  two  Stillwells  to  leave  Harlem  and 
not  act  as  witnesses,  for  which  act  of  kindness  the  Colonel  gave  the 
Parson  eight  guineas. — Ed.] 

799.  Sam'l  Hubbard,  of  Gravesend,  was  examined  by  Congress. 
He  left  home  for  Bedford,  Aug.  22,  and  could  not  return  because  the 
British  had  landed.  He  removed  Lt.  Vanderbilt's  wife  and  Ryerson's 
wife  and  daughter  to  Mr.  Benson's.  John  Sickles  says  Parson 
Schoonmaker  said  Mr.  Hubbard  was  a  hearty  friend  to  the  American 
cause. 

800.  Mr.  Abm.  Van  Ranst  of  Bushwick  arrived  Aug.  27,  at  Har- 
lem in  a  boat  with  his  family,  and  says  he  understood  that  last  night 
1.500  men  surrounded  the  house  of  Mr.  Simon  Duryea,  a  mile  south 
of  his  house,  and  took  away  his  arms,  horses  and  wagon ;  that  2 
companies  of  militia  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bedford  were  disarmed 
and  perhaps  taken  prisoners."  Journal,  594. 

801.  Explanation  of  the  operations  of  the  two  Armies,  Aug.  22-29. 
See  Map. 

m.  Denyse's  large  stone  house,  now  Fort  Hamilton,  (where  'tis  said 
were  a  cannon  and  body  of  men  posted,)  abreast  of  which  lay  the  Rain- 
bow, so  as  to  enfilade  the  road  from  N.  Y. 

n.  N.  Utrecht  beach,  where  the  British  landed,  Aug.  22  and  24,  on 
the  farms  of  Isaac  Cortelyou  and  Adrian  Van  Brunt,  which  lay  W.  of 
the  Bath  House,  i.e.  between  the  Cortelyou  road  and  the  Bath  road, 
anciently  called  De  Bruyn  road. 

o.  Schoomaker's  Bridge,  (still  extant,)  a  very  narrow  passage  where 
the  army  under  Clinton  might  easily  have  been  stopped. 

p.  A  passage  over  the  hill  by  which  J.  Howard  led  the  British  army 
or  a  detachment  of  it,  about  2  o'clock  A.  M.,  Aug.  27. 

q.  The  Jamaica  Pass.    The  road  in  1776  went  around  a  large  hill. 

r.  The  Hunder-fly  Road. 

s.  Baker's  Tavern. 

t.  Bennett's  Cove,  where  'tis  said,  3,000  British  landed  on  the  morn- 
ing of  Aug.  27. 

u .  Martense's  Lane,  by  which  Stirling  says  the  forces  came,  who 
were  opposed  to  him. 

u.  Red  Lion  Tavern,  as  is  supposed,  mentioned  by  Stirling. 
to.  Stirling's  force  [on  Wykoff's  Hill  ?]  morning  of  Aug.  27. 


128 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


x.  Grant's  force,  morning  of  Aug.  27. 

y.  The  scene  of  Stirling's  last  encounter  with  the  enemy,  while  his 
main  body  escaped  over  the  Creek  and  Mill-dam. 

N.  B.  The  precise  spots  w,  x,  y,  cannot  now  perhaps  be  identified. 
The  hills  remain,  but  all  else  is  changed. 

z.  Cortelyou  House,  built  of  brick  and  stone,  1699,  by  N.  Vechte,and 
still  standing.  Probably  the  scene  of  some  fighting.  One  writer  says 
"  Cornwallis  was  posted  in  a  house  above  where  the  crossing  was  to  be 
made  and  another  says  "  the  British  had  several  field-pieces  stationed 
by  a  brick  house,  and  were  pouring  cannister  and  grape  on  the  Ameri- 
cans crossing  the  creek." 

1.  British  redoubt  thrown  up  on  the  night  of  Aug.  28,  on  high  land 
of  George  Debevoise. 

2.  Buttermilk  Channel. 

3.  Stone  (Dutch)  church  in  the  road,  where  'tis  said,  Washington 
held  his  military  council.  It  was  the  alarm  post  on  the  night  of  the 
retreat. 

4.  Brower's  Mill.  The  side  toward  the  Fort  (I)  was  ripped  off  so 
as  to  expose  it  to  the  fire  of  the  Fort,  in  case  the  enemy  should  occupy 
it.  In  the  confusion  of  the  retreat,  'tis  said,  Col.  Ward  set  fire  to  this 
mill  before  the  retreating  Americans  got  over.  Hence  they  were 
drowned  in  the  mill-pond.  There  was  then  no  road  over  the  dam,  only 
a  foot  path.    The  mill  is  still  standing,  the  pond  mostly  filled  up. 

5.  Flatbush  Pass.  A  large  old  oak  was  felled  as  an  abatis  across 
the  road,  to  cover  the  small  redoubt  of  3  six  pounders. 


6. 

Americans  retreating  across  the  mouth  of  the  creek. 

7. 

A  party  of  Americans  who  covered  the  retreat  of 

those  who 

swam 

over  the  creek. 

8. 

Port  or  Mill  Road,  by  which  De  Heister  may  have 

descended. 

9. 

Brooklyn  Ferry. 

10. 

Wallebocht. 

11. 

East  River. 

12. 

Paulus  Hook. 

13. 

North  River. 

14. 

Gowanus  Bay. 

15. 

Yellow  Hook. 

16. 

The  Narrows. 

17. 

Road  to  the  Narrows. 

18. 

Road  to  New  Lots. 

19. 

Howard's  Halfway  House. 

KINGS  COUNTY. 


120 


N.  B.  The  dotted  lines  indicate  the  supposed  routes  of  the  three 
divisions  of  the  British  army  on  the  morning  of  Aug.  27. 

802.  Aug.  26.  Gen.  De  Heister  landed  with  the  Hessians  and 
proceeded  to  Flatbush,  when  Cornwallis  moved  off  to  Flatlands. 
Learning  from  the  disaffected  inhabitants  that  the  Jamaica  pass  was 
unoccupied,  Howe  arranged  his  plan  of  attack. 

1.  Gen.  Grant  was  to  advance  by  the  shore  road  [or  Martense's 
lane,]  towards  Brooklyn,  and  make  a  feint  in  that  direction.  The 
ships  were  to  bombard  the  Fort  at  Red  Hook. 

2.  De  Heister  was  to  take  up  the  attention  of  the  Americans  at 
Flatbush  pass,  till  he  should  hear  the  British  fire  in  their  rear,  when 
he  was  to  push  on  in  earnest. 

3.  The  main  body  of  the  army  was  to  draw  off  under  cover  of 
night  towards  Flatlands,  and  take  a  circuitous  route  through  New 
Lots,  and  so  surprise  the  Jamaica  pass,  and  get  in  the  rear  of  the 
American  forces. 

Accordingly  at  9  A.  M.,  Aug.  26  (some  respectable  farmers  act- 
ing as  guides),  the  van  of  the  army  under  Clinton,  the  main  body 
under  Percy,  and  the  reserve  under  Cornwallis,  moved  off  by  the 
road  leading  to  Flatlands  Neck,  and  came  out  at  Schoonmaker's 
Bridge.  There  (E.  of  D.  Rapalje's)  they  left  the  road,  threw  open 
the  fence  and  crossed  the  fields  towards  Howard's,  where  they  ar- 
rived 2  hours  before  day. 

The  American  patroles  were  all  seized  and  no  alarm  given.  The 
Jamaica  pass  was  secured.  At  daylight,  the  whole  British  army 
had  passed  through  the  woods  and  then  halted  to  take  refreshments. 

While  they  are  breakfasting,  let  us  visit  Grant  near  the  shore. 
As  he  was  advancing,  his  advance  guard,  about  midnight,  fell  in  with 
the  American  outposts,  who  were  driven  back  on  the  main  body 
under  Stirling,  who  was  now  posted  on  a  side  hill  [Wykoff's?] 
that  commanded  the  road,  where  an  indecisive  cannonade  was  kept 
up  for  several  hours. 

Let  us  now  go  to  the  Flatbush  pass.  According  to  the  precon- 
certed plan,  De  Heister  commenced  a  moderate  cannonade  on  the 
American  redoubt  at  daybreak. 

Meantime,  the  main  body  having  now  finished  their  morning  re- 
past, hastened  on  to  Bedford,  intercepting  on  the  way  small  parties 
of  Americans  who  were  retreating  from  the  woody  heights  on  dis- 


130 


REVOLUTIONARY  SPIRIT. 


covering  the  enemy  in  their  rear.  The  moment  De  Heister  heard 
the  firing,  he  ordered  Col.  Donop  to  storm  the  redoubt,  and  fol- 
lowed on  himself. 

The  Americans  now  essayed  to  retreat  towards  Brooklyn,  but 
were  forced  back  by  Clinton,  upon  the  Hessian  bayonets,  and  in  this 
way  they  were  driven  to  and  fro,  till  a  few  boldly  cut  their  way 
through  the  enemy  and  escaped  within  the  lines. 

It  was  now  9  A.  M.,  when  Cornwallis  fired  2  signal  guns  for 
Grant,  and  pushed  on  to  cut  off  Stirling's  rear.  Stirling,  seeing  the 
day  was  lost,  ordered  the  main  body  of  his  division  to  make  their 
way  into  the  lines  as  best  they  could  across  the  meadows  and  creek 
at  Gowanus,  while  he  with  a  forlorn  hope  kept  Cornwallis  in  check, 
till  overpowering  numbers  in  front  and  rear  forced  him  to  surrender. 

It  is  supposed  about  5,000  Americans  were  engaged  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  battle-field,  and  twice  that  number  of  British,  but  it 
is  all  conjecture. 

Hardly  had  the  discomfited  Americans  escaped  within  the  lines, 
when  the  King's  forces  pushed  in  hot  pursuit  nearly  up  to  the 
trenches,  regardless  of  shot  from  cannon  and  musketry.  Howe, 
however,  did  not  care  to  risk  an  assault.  On  the  evening  of  the  next 
day,  the  British  had  a  redoubt  thrown  up  E.  of  Fort  Putnam,  and 
were  preparing  to  cannonade  the  American  works. 

The  Americans  were  ordered  not  to  quit  the  lines,  but  now 
and  then  a  lawless  rifleman  would  spring  over  the  works  and  pick 
off  a  British  scout.    A  constant  skirmishing  was  kept  up. 

But  the  rain  was  so  excessive — a  fine  penetrating  drizzle — and 
no  tents,  the  lines  so  extensive,  and  the  men  so  few,  that  the  troops 
were  quite  exhausted  and  dispirited.  Aug.  29,  a  council  of  war  was 
held,  and  it  was  decided  to  retreat.  As  it  was  all-important  to  keep 
this  secret  from  the  British,  Washington  gave  out  that  he  was  going 
to  attack  the  enemy  in  the  rear,  and  wanted  a  great  number  of  boats 
to  transport  a  detachment  up  th?  East  River  and  land  on  L.  I.,  at 
Hellgate.  Accordingly  in  the  evening  there  was  marching  and 
counter-marching,  2  Reg's  would  march  down  to  the  Ferry  and 
one  up,  2  down  and  one  up,  till  but  one  Reg.  was  left  to  embark. 

The  retreat  was  to  commence  with  the  militia  at  8  o'clock,  but  the 
wind  was  N.  E.,  and  with  difficulty  a  few  passed  over.  A.  11,  the 
wind  chopped  round  S.  W.,  and  then  the  boats  crossed  rapidly. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


131 


This  was  the  critical  moment  for  the  British  fleet  (which  had  been 
kept  down  the  Narrows  3  days  by  adverse  wind)  to  sail  up,  fire  on 
and  sink  the  American  boats,  but  their  drowsy  sentinels  did  not  ob- 
serve the  change.  A  fog  also  hung  over  the  Brooklyn  shore  till  a  late 
hour  next  morning,  and  thus  the  entire  American  army  of  9,000 
men,  with  their  prisoners,  most  of  the  wounded,  baggage  and  mili- 
tary stores  were  saved. 

Meanwhile  the  British  reconnoitering  parties  drew  nearer  and 
nearer.  As  they  were  not  annoyed  by  any  firing,  and  stillness 
reigned  along  the  lines,  they  suspected  all  was  not  right.  By  and 
by  one  more  daring  than  the  rest  cautiously  crept  into  the  works, 
and  seeing  a  perfect  solitude,  gave  the  alarm.  The  King's  forces 
rushed  in  and  hastened  to  the  Ferry,  regardless  of  the  fire  from  the 
American  battery  at  the  ship  yards,  and  the  vessels  in  the  stream. 
But  they  were  too  late !  They  fired  indeed  on  a  few  straggling 
boats,  and  'tis  said,  compelled  one  to  return. 

Intense  must  have  been  the  anxiety  of  Washington.  He  says, 
he  had  no  sleep,  and  indeed  was  scarce  out  of  his  saddle  for  two 
entire  days. 

It  is  said,  that  Mrs.  John  Rapelye,  who  lived  at  the  Ferry,  sus- 
pected what  was  going  on,  and  sent  her  slave  to  inform  the  British 
general  of  the  preparations  for  a  retreat,  by  the  American  army.  The 
negro  was  apprehended  by  a  Hessian  guard,  and  not  being  able  to  make 
himself  understood,  was  detained  under  guard  till  morning,  when  he 
was  escorted  to  Head  Quarters,  and  delivered  his  message  just  in  time 
to  be  too  late. 


PART  II. 


LETTERS  RELATING-  TO  THE  BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 

Lord  Howe's  Letter  describing  the  Landing. 
803.  "Gen.  Howe  giving  me  notice  of  his  intention  to  make  a 
descent  in  Gravesend  Bay,  on  L.  I.,  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the 
necessary  disposition  was  made,  and  75  flat-boats,  with  11  batteaux 
and  2  galleys,  built  for  the  occasion,  were  prepared  for  that  service. 
The  command  of  the  whole  remained  with  Com.  Hotham.  The 
Capts.  Parker,  Wallace,  and  Dickson,  in  the  Phenix,  Rose,  and 
Greyhound,  with  the  Thunder  and  Carcass  bombs,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Col.  James,  were  appointed  to  cover  the  landing.  The  flat 
boats,  galleys,  and  3  batteaux,  manned  from  the  ships  of  war,  were 
formed  into  divisions  commanded  respectively  by  the  Capts.  Vande- 
put,  Mason,  Curtis,  Caldwell,  Phipps,  Caulfield,  Uppleby,  and  Dun- 
can, and  Lt.  Reeve  of  the  Eagle.  The  rest  of  the  batteaux,  making 
a  10th  division,  manned  from  the  transports,  were  under  the  conduct 
of  Lt.  Bristow,  an  assistant  agent.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  22d, 
the  covering  ships  took  their  station  in  Gravesend  Bay.  The  light 
infantry,  with  the  reserve  to  be  first  landed,  forming  a  corps  together 
of  4000  men,  entered  the  boats  at  Staten  Island  the  same  time.  The 
transports  in  which  the  several  brigades  composing  the  2d  debarka- 
tion (about  5000  men)  had  been  before  embarked,  were  moved  down 
and  suitably  arranged  without  the  covering  ships  by  8  o'clock.  The 
first  debarkation  not  meeting  with  any  opposition,  the  second  suc- 
ceeded immediately  after  ;  and  the  other  transports,  carrying  the 
rest  of  the  troops,  following  the  former  in  proper  succession.  The 
whole  force  then  destined  for  this  service,  consisting  of  about  1 5,000 
men,  was  landed  before  noon.  On  the  25th  an  additional  corps 
of  Hessian  troops  under  Gen.  Heister,  with  their  field  artillery  and 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


133 


baggage,  were  conveyed  to  Gravesend  Bay.  Being  informed  next 
day  by  Gen.  Howe  of  his  intentions  to  advance  with  the  army  that 
night  to  the  enemy's  lines,  and  of  his  wishes  that  some  diversion 
might  be  attempted  by  the  ships  on  this  side,  I  gave  directions  to  Sir 
Peter  Parker  for  proceeding  higher  up  in  the  channel  toward  the 
town  of  New-York  next  morning,  with  the  Asia,  Renown,  Preston, 
(Com.  Hotham  embarked  in  the  Phenix,  having  been  left  to  carry 
on  the  service  in  Gravesend  Bay,)  Roebuck,  and  Repulse,  and  to 
keep  those  ships  in  readiness  for  being  employed  as  occasion  might 
require ;  but  the  wind  veering  to  the  northward  soon  after  the  break 
of  day,  the  ships  could  not  be  moved  up  to  the  distance  proposed : 
therefore  when  the  troops  under  Gen.  Grant,  forming  the  left  col- 
umn of  the  army,  were  seen  to  be  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  the 
morning,  the  Roebuck,  Capt.  Hammond,  leading  the  detached  squad- 
ron, was  the  only  ship  that  could  fetch  high  enough  to  the  northward 
to  exchange  a  few  random  shot  with  the  battery  on  Red  Hook  ;  and 
the  ebb  making  strongly  down  the  river  soon  after,  I  ordered  the 
signal  to  be  shown  for  the  squadron  to  anchor." 

"The  Admiral  directed  Sir  Geo.  Collier  to  place  the  Rainbow  at 
dawn  of  day  in  the  Narrows  abreast  of  a  large  stone  building  called 
Denyse's,  [now  Ft.  Hamilton,]  where  he  understood  the  rebels  had  can- 
non and  a  strong  post,  in  which  situation  she  would  also  be  able  to  en- 
filade the  road  leading  from  N.  Y.,  and  prevent  reinforcements  being 
sent  to  the  rebel  outposts  as  well  as  to  their  troops  who  were  stationed 
to  oppose  the  landing."  Journal  of  a  British  Officer. 

Joseph  Reed  to  Mrs.  Reed. 
804.  Head  Quarters.  Aug.  24.  Our  troops  have  been  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy  on  L.  I.  with  various  fortune,  but  we  have  ge- 
nerally driven  them  back ;  several  were  killed  on  both  sides.  Most 
of  the  Penn.  troops  are  ordered  over.  The  officers  and  men  behave 
exceedingly  well,  and  the  whole  army  is  in  better  spirits  than  I  have 
known  it  at  any  time.  The  gallantry  of  the  southern  men  has  in- 
spired all  others,  so  that  there  will  be  an  emulation  who  shall  be- 
have best.  There  is  a  wood  between  our  works  and  the  enemy's 
camp,  of  which  each  party  is  endeavoring  to  possess  themselves. 
As  yet  we  have  kept  it,  and  hope  we  shall,  as  it  is  very  important. 
The  enemy's  ships  are  moving  so  much  downwards,  that  we  begin  to 
think  their  grand  attack  will  be  on  Long  Island.  Indeed,  the  city 
7 


134 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


is  now  so  strong,  that  in  the  present  temper  of  our  men,  the  enemy- 
would  lose  half  their  army  in  attempting  to  take  it.  While  I  am 
writing  there  is  a  heavy  firing  and  clouds  of  smoke  rising  from  that 
wood.  Gen.  Putnam  was  made  happy  by  obtaining  leave  to  go 
over.    The  old  man  was  quite  miserable  at  being  kept  here. 

805.  British  Official  Account  of  the  Battle. 

Camp  at  Newtown,  L.  I.,  Sept.  3,  1776. 

My  Lord  : — On  the  22d  of  last  month,  in  the  morning,  the  Brit- 
ish, with  Col.  Donop's  corps  of  chasseurs  and  Hessian  grenadiers, 
disembarked  near  Utrecht,  on  L.  L,  without  opposition,  the  whole 
being  landed,  with  40  pieces  of  cannon,  in  two  hours  and  a  half, 
under  the  direction  of  Com.  Hotham ;  Lieut.  Gen.  Clinton  command- 
ing the  first  division  of  the  troops.  The  enemy  had  only  small  par- 
ties on  the  coast,  who  upon  the  approach  of  the  boats,  retired  to  the 
woody  heights,  commanding  a  principal  pass  on  the  road  from  Flat- 
bush  to  their  works  at  Brooklyn.  Lord  Cornwallis  was  immediately 
detached  to  Flatbush  with  the  reserve,  two  battalions  of  light  in- 
fantry, and  Col.  Donop's  corps,  with  six  field-pieces,  having  orders 
not  to  risk  an  attack  upon  the  pass,  if  he  should  find  it  occupied  ; 
which  proving  to  be  the  case,  his  lordship  took  post  in  the  village, 
and  the  army  extended  from  the  ferry  at  the  Narrows,  through 
Utrecht  and  Gravesend,to  the  village  of  Flatland.  On  the  25th,  Lt. 
Gen.  De  Heister,  with  two  brigades  of  Hessians  from  Staten  Island, 
joined  the  army,  leaving  one  brigade  of  his  troops,  a  detachment  of 
the  14th  regiment  from  Virginia,  some  convalescents  and  recruits, 
under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Dalrymple,  for  the  security  of 
that  island.  On  the  26th,  Lt.  Gen.  De  Heister  took  post  at  Flat- 
bush  ;  and  in  the  evening  Lord  Cornwallis  with  the  British  drew  off 
to  Flatland.  About  9  o'clock  the  same  night  the  van  of  the  army, 
commanded  by  Lt.  Gen.  Clinton,  (consisting  of  the  light  dragoons 
and  brigade  of  light  infantry,  the  reserve  under  the  command  of  Lord 
Cornwallis,  excepting  the  42d  regiment,  which  was  posted  to  the  left 
of  the  Hessians,  the  first  brigade,  and  the  71st  regiment,)  with  14 
field-pieces,  began  to  move  from  Flatland  across  the  country  through 
the  New  Lots,  to  seize  a  pass  in  the  heights  extending  from  east  to 
west  along  the  middle  of  the  island,  and  about  three  miles  from  Bed- 
ford on  the  road  to  Jamaica,  in  order  to  turn  the  enemy's  left,  posted 
at  Flatbush.    Aug.  27th.  Gen.  Clinton  being  arrived  within  half  a 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


135 


mile  of  the  pass  about  two  hours  before  daybreak,  halted  and  settled 
his  disposition  for  the  attack.  One  of  his  patrols,  falling  in  with  a 
patrol  of  the  enemy's  officers,  took  them  ;  and  the  general,  learning 
from  their  information  that  the  rebels  had  not  fortified  the  pass,  de- 
tached a  battalion  of  light  infantry  to  secure  it,  and  advancing  with 
his  corps  upon  the  first  appearance  of  day,  possessed  himself  of  the 
heights,  with  such  a  disposition  as  must  have  secured  success,  had 
he  found  the  enemy  in  force  to  oppose  him.  The  main  body  of  the 
army,  consisting  of  the  guards,  2d,  3d,  and  5th  brigades,  with  10  field- 
pieces,  led  by  Lord  Percy,  marched  soon  after  Gen.  Clinton,  and 
halted  an  hour  before  day  in  his  rear.  This  column  (the  country 
not  admitting  of  two  columns  of  march)  was  followed  by  the  49th 
regiment,  with  four  medium  12  pounders  ;  and  the  baggage  closed 
the  rear,  with  separate  guard.  As  soon  as  these  corps  had  passed 
the  heights,  they  halted  for  the  soldiers  to  take  a  little  refreshment, 
after  which  the  march  was  continued  ;  and  about  half  an  hour  past 
8  o'clock,  having  got  to  Bedford,  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  left,  the 
attack  was  commenced  by  the  light  infantry  and  light  dragoons  upon 
large  bodies  of  the  rebels,  having  cannon,  who  were  quitting  the 
woody  heights  before  mentioned  to  return  to  their  lines  upon  discov- 
ering the  march  of  the  army,  instead  of  which  they  were  drove  back, 
and  the  army  still  moving  on  to  gain  the  enemy's  rear,  the  grena- 
diers and  33d  regiment,  being  in  front  of  the  column,  soon  approached 
within  musket  shot  of  the  enemy's  lines  at  Brooklyn,  from  whence 
these  battalions,  without  regarding  the  fire  of  cannon  and  small-arms 
upon  them,  pursued  numbers  of  the  rebels  that  were  retiring  from 
the  heights,  so  close  to  their  principal  redoubt,  and  with  such  eager- 
ness to  attack  it  by  storm,  that  it  required  repeated  orders  to  prevail 
upon  them  to  desist  from  the  attempt :  had  they  been  permitted  to  go 
on,  it  is  my  opinion  they  would  have  carried  the  redoubt ;  but  as  it 
was  apparent  that  the  lines  must  have  been  ours  at  a  very  cheap  rate 
by  regular  approaches,  I  would  not  risk  the  loss  that  might  have  been 
sustained  in  the  assault,  and  ordered  them  back  to  a  hollow  way  in 
the  front  of  the  works,  out  of  the  reach  of  musketry.  Lt.  Gen. 
De  Heister  began  soon  after  daybreak  to  cannonade  the  enemy  in  the 
front,  and  upon  the  approach  of  our  right,  ordered  Col.  Donop's  corps 
to  advance  to  the  attack  of  the  hill,  following  himself  at  the  kead  of 
the  brigades.    The  light  infantry  about  that  time,  having  been  rein- 


136 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


forced  by  the  light  company,  the  grenadier  company,  and  two  other 
companies  of  the  guards,  who  joined  them  with  the  greatest  activity 
and  spirit,  had  taken  three  pieces  of  cannon,  and  were  warmly  en- 
gaged with  very  superior  numbers  in  the  woods,  when,  on  the  Hes- 
sians advancing,  the  enemy  gave  way,  and  was  entirely  routed  in 
that  quarter.  On  the  left,  Maj.  Gen.  Grant,  having  the  4th  and  6th 
brigades,  the  42d  regiment,  and  two  companies  of  New-York  Provin- 
cials, raised  by  Gov.  Tryon  in  the  spring,  advanced  along  the  coast 
with  10  pieces  of  cannon,  to  divert  the  enemy's  attention  from  their 
left.  About  midnight  he  fell  in  with  their  advanced  parties,  and  at 
daybreak  with  a  large  corps  having  cannon,  and  advantageously 
posted,  with  whom  there  was  skirmishing  and  a  cannonade  for  some 
hours,  until,  by  the  firing  at  Brooklyn,  the  rebels  suspecting  their 
retreat  would  be  cut  off,  made  a  movement  to  the  right  in  order  to 
secure  it  across  a  swamp  and  creek  that  covered  the  right  of  their 
works ;  but  being  met  in  their  way  by  a  part  of  the  2d  grenadiers, 
who  were  soon  after  supported  by  the  71st  regiment,  and  Gen. 
Grant's  left  coming  up,  they  suffered  considerably :  numbers  of  them, 
however,  did  get  into  the  morass,  where  many  were  suffocated  or 
drowned.  The  force  of  the  enemy  detached  from  the  lines  where 
Gen.  Putnam  commanded  was  not  less,  from  the  best  accounts  I 
have  had,  than  14,000  men,  who  were  under  the  orders  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Sullivan,  Brig.  Gens.  Lord  Stirling  and  Woodhull.  Their  loss  is 
computed  to  be  about  3,300  killed,  wounded,  prisoners,  and  drowned, 
with  five  field-pieces  and  one  howitzer  taken.  A  return  of  the 
prisoners  is  inclosed.  On  the  part  of  the  King's  troops,  5  officers 
and  56  non-commissioned  officers,  and  rank  and  file  killed;  12  offi- 
cers, and  245  non-commissioned  officers  and  rank  and  file  wounded  : 
one  officer  and  20  grenadiers  of  the  marines  taken,  by  mistaking  the 
enemy  for  the  Hessians.  The  Hessians  had  two  privates  killed, 
three  officers  and  23  rank  and  file  wounded.  The  wounds  arc  in 
general  very  slight.  Lt.  Col.  Monckton  is  shot  through  the  body, 
but  there  are  the  greatest  hopes  of  his  recovery.  The  behavior  of 
both  officers  and  soldiers,  British  and  Hessians,  was  highly  to  their 
honor.  More  determined  courage  and  steadiness  in  troops  have  never 
been  experienced,  or  a  greater  ardor  to  distinguish  themselves,  as  all 
those  who  had  an  opportunity  have  amply  evinced  by  their  actions. 
In  the  evening  of  the  27th,  the  army  encamped  in  front  of  the  ene- 


BATTLE  OF   LONG  ISLAND. 


137 


my's  works.  On  the  28th,  at  night,  broke  ground  600  yards  distant 
from  a  redoubt  on  their  left ;  and  on  the  29th,  at  night,  the  rebels 
evacuated  their  intrenchments  and  Red  Hook  with  the  utmost  silence, 
and  quitted  Governor's  Island  the  following  evening,  leaving  their 
cannon  and  a  quantity  of  stores  in  all  their  works.  At  daybreak  on 
the  30th  their  flight  was  discovered,  the  pickets  of  the  line  took 
possession,  and  those  most  advanced  reached  the  shore  opposite  to 
New- York  as  their  rear  guard  was  going  over,  and  fired  some  shot 
among  them.  The  enemy  is  still  in  possession  of  the  town  and 
island  of  New-York,  in  force,  and  making  demonstration  of  opposing 
us  in  their  works  on  both  sides  of  Kingsbridge.  The  inhabitants  of 
this  island,  many  of  whom  had  been  forced  into  rebellion,  have  all 
submitted,  and  are  ready  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance.  This  dis- 
patch will  be  delivered  to  your  lordship  by  Major  Cuyler,  my  first 
aid-de-camp,  who  I  trust  will  be  able  to  give  your  lordship  such  fur- 
ther information  as  may  be  required. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c, 

WILL.  HOWE. 

To  Lord  Geo.  Germaine. 

P.  S.  I  have  omitted  to  take  notice,  in  its  proper  place,  of  a 
movement  made  by  the  King's  ships  towards  the  town,  on  the  27th 
at  daybreak,  with  a  view  of  drawing  off  the  attention  of  the  enemy 
from  our  real  design,  which,  I  believe,  effectually  answered  the  intended 
purpose. 

About  Aug.  22,  we  embarked  in  boats  for  L.  L,  and  landed  without 
opposition  in  Gravesend  Bay,  marched  6  miles  inland  and  halted  till 
26th,  a  large  body  of  the  Americans  near  us  keeping  up  a  firing  from 
behind  walls  and  trees.  About  4  p.  M.,  Aug.  26,  struck  tents  and  lay  on 
our  arms  during  the  night  about  3  miles  from  Bedford  ;  and  though  it 
was  summer,  it  was  the  coldest  night  I  have  experienced  up  to  Nov. 
25.  At  daybreak,  Aug.  27,  the  light  infantry  attacked  and  forced  sev- 
eral small  posts  which  the  Americans  had  on  the  road  leading  to  their 
lines  at  Bedford.  This  appeared  to  be  the  first  notice  they  had  of  our 
being  near  them.  About  9  we  fired  two  signal  guns  to  a  part  of  the 
army  under  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  to  make  a  feint  in  the  front  of  the 
Americans,  while  we  got  round  to  their  rear,  and  immediately  marched 
briskly  up  to  them,  when,  almost  without  firing  a  shot,  they  abandoned 
their  post  and  retreated  to  their  lines  under  cover  of  their  guns.  Our 
men  were  most  eager  to  attack  them  in  their  lines,  but  were  ordered  to 


138 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


retreat  out  of  reach  of  their  guns,  and  lay  from  about  4  pm.  till  very 
near  dark  at  the  entrance  of  a  small  wood  exposed  to  the  fire  of  their 
riflemen.  During  the  whole  evening  they  hit  but  one  man,  though  their 
balls  continually  whistled  over  our  heads  and  lodged  in  the  trees  above 
us.  Their  loss  is  acknowledged  by  them  to  have  been  2600  ;  ours  300 
killed  and  wounded.  Lord  Harris. 

From  an  Officer  in  Gen.  FrazeiJs  Bat.,  list  Eegt. 

"  The  Hessians  and  our  brave  Highlanders  gave  no  quarters  ;  and  it 
was  a  fine  sight  to  see  with  what  alacrity  they  dispatched  the  rebels 
with  their  bayonets,  after  we  had  surrounded  them  so  they  could  not  re- 
sist. We  took  care  to  tell  the  Hessians  that  the  rebels  had  resolved 
to  give  no  quarter — to  them  in  particular, — which  made  them  fight  des- 
perately, and  put  to  death  all  that  came  into  their  hands." 

From  a  British  Officer  of  rank. 

"  The  Americans  fought  bravely,  and  (to  do  them  justice)  could  not 
be  broken  till  they  were  greatly  outnumbered  and  taken  in  flank,  front, 
and  rear.  We  were  greatly  shocked  at  the  massacre  made  by  the  Hes- 
sians and  Highlanders  after  victory  was  decided." 

Lord  Percy  writes  from  camp  at  Newtown,  Sep.  4,  "  It  was  the 
General's  orders  that  the  troops  should  receive  the  rebels'  first  fire,  and 
then  rush  on  them,  before  they  had  recovered  their  arms,  with  our  bay- 
onets, which  threw  them  into  the  utmost  confusion." 

"General  Robertson  says:  "  The  battalion  of  grenadiers  led  by 
Col.  Stuart,  and  33d  reg.,  ran  across  a  field  beyond  the  Flatbush  road  to- 
wards the  principal  redoubt.  Gen.  Vaughan  asked  if  he  should  attack  the 
lines,  (which  were  semicircular  and  the  parapets  lined  with  spears  and 
lances,)  but  he  was  ordered  back."  The  London  Chronicle  says  :  "  Col . 
Monckton  and  Gen.  Vaughan  led  the  grenadiers  and  light  infantry. 
They  saw  the  advantage,  and  told  Howe  the  rebels  were  shut  up  be- 
tween the  British  and  the  sea.  Vaughan  stormed  with  rage  at  being 
stopped,  and  sent  word  to  Howe  that  he  could  force  the  lines  with  incon- 
siderable loss."  The  American  cannon  were  not  well  pointed  ;  a  great 
number  of  shot  came  over  the  British,  but  some  were  killed  and  some 
wounded  by  small  arms  from  the  lines.  [One  of  the  L.  I.  militia  says 
he  heard  the  bullets  whistle  over  his  head  as  he  stood  in  the  ditch. 
Putnam  rode  along  the  lines  and  ordered  them  not  to  fire  till  they  could 
see  the  whites  of  the  enemies'  eyes.  A  British  officer  was  brought 
wounded  into  Boerum's  bolt-house,  which  was  used  as  a  hospital,  where 
were  several  rows  of  beds  occupied  by  the  wounded. 

Wm.  Howard,  aged  87,  says  the  British  army  was  guided  by  N.  W 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


139 


along  a  narrow  road  across  Schoonmaker's  bridge,  (where  a  small  force 
might  easily  have  brought  the  whole  British  army  to  a  stand  )  Thence 
they  turned  ofFeast  of  Dan'l  Rapalje's  and  crossed  the  fields  to  the  south 
of  Howard's  half-way  house,  where  they  halted  in  front  of  his  house. 
About  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  after  the  market  wagons  had  passed, 
Howe,  [1]  with  a  citizen's  hat  on  and  a  camblet  cloak  over  his  uniform 
dress,  entered  Wm.  Howard's  tavern,  attended  by  Clinton  and  two  aids, 
and  asked  for  something  to  drink,  conversed  with  him,  and  asked  if  he 
had  joined  the  association  ?  Howard  said  he  had.  "  That's  all  very 
well.  Stick  to  your  integrity.  But  now  you  are  my  prisoner,  and  must 
lead  me  across  these  hills  out  of  the  way  of  the  enemy,  the  nearest  way  to 
Gowanus."  Howard  accordingly  conducted  the  army  by  a  passage  way 
between  his  house  and  horse  shed  over  the  hills  and  woods  east  of  his 
house,  till  they  came  to  the  cleared  land  north  of  the  woods.  The  horses 
drew  the  artillery  up  the  hill  in  a  slanting  direction,  and  halted  on  the 
brow  to  breathe  a  little.  The  army  then  proceeded  west  and  came  out 
at  Baker's  tavern  by  the  Gowanus  road.  The  British  took  Adj.  Jeromus 
Hoogland  [Lt.  Troup]  and  Lt.  Dunscomb,  American  patroles,  at  the 
big  white  oak  (since  struck  by  lightning)  in  the  middle  of  the  road  by 
the  mile  post,  a  little  east  of  Howard's.  Isaac  Boerum,  a  trooper,  of 
New  Lots,  was  also  taken  in  Bushwick,  and  died  of  small-pox  in  prison. 
— Ed.] 

806.    R.  H.  Harrison  to  the  President  of  Congress. 

New-York,  8  o'clock  P.  M.,  Avg.  27,  1776. 
Sir — I  have  this  minute  returned  from  our  lines  on  Long  Island, 
where  I  left  his  Excellency,  the  General.  From  him,  I  have  it  in 
command  to  inform  Congress,  that  yesterday  he  went  there,  and  con- 
tinued till  evening,  when,  from  the  enemy  having  landed  a  consid- 
erable part  of  their  forces,  and  from  many  of  their  movements,  there 
was  reason  to  apprehend  they  would  in  a  little  time  make  a  general 
attack.  As  they  would  have  a  wood  to  pass  through  before  they 
could  approach  the  lines,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  place  a  number 
of  men  on  the  roads  leading  from  where  they  were  stationed,  in  order 
to  harass  and  annoy  them  in  their  march.  This  being  done,  early 
this  morning  a  smart  engagement  ensued  between  the  enemy  and 
our  detachments — which  being  unequal  to  the  force  they  had  to  con- 
tend with,  have  sustained  considerable  loss.  At  least,  many  of  our 
men  are  missing.  Among  those  that  have  not  returned,  are  Gen. 
Sullivan  and  Lord  Stirling.  The  enemy's  loss  is  not  known  cer- 
tainly ;  but  we  are  told  by  such  of  our  troops  as  were  in  the  engage- 


140 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


ment,  and  have  come  in,  that  they  had  many  killed  [and  wounded. 
Our  party  brought  off  a  lieutenant,  sergeant  and  corporal,  with  20 
privates,  prisoners.  While  these  detachments  were  engaged,  a 
column  of  the  enemy  descended  from  the  woods,  and  marched  toward 
the  centre  of  our  lines,  with  a  design  to  make  an  impression,  but 
were  repulsed.  This  evening  they  appeared  very  numerous  about 
the  skirts  of  the  woods  where  they  have  pitched  several  tents ;  and 
his  Excellency  inclines  to  think  they  mean  to  attack  and  force  us 
from  our  lines  by  way  of  regular  approaches,  rather  than  in  any 
ether  manner.  To-day  five  ships  of  the  line  came  up  toward  the 
town,  where  they  seemed  desirous  of  getting,  as  they  tacked  a  long 
time  against  an  unfavorable  wind ;  and  on  my  return  this  evening,  I 
found  a  deserter  from  the  23d  Regt.,  who  informed  me  that  they  de- 
sign, as  soon  as  the  wind  will  permit  them,  to  come  up  to  give  us  a 
severe  cannonading,  and  silence  our  batteries  if  possible.  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  in  great  haste,  sir,  your  most  obedient. 

Sparks,  IV.  513. 
807.       Gen.  Sullivan  to  the  President  of  Congress. 

Whitemarsh,  Oct.  25,  1777. 
I  know  it  has  been  generally  reported  that  I  commanded  on  Long 
Island  when  the  action  happened  there.  This  is  by  no  means  true. 
Gen.  Putnam  had  taken  the  command  from  me  four  days  before  the 
action.  Lord  Stirling  commanded  the  main  body  without  the  lines. 
I  was  to  have  commanded  under  Gen.  Putnam  within  the  lines.  I 
was  uneasy  about  a  road  through  which  I  had  often  foretold  that  the 
enemy  would  come,  but  could  not  persuade  others  to  be  of  my  opin- 
ion. I  went  to  the  hill  near  Flatbush  to  reconnoitre,  and  with  a 
picket  of  400  men  was  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  who  had  advanced 
by  the  very  road  I  had  foretold,  and  which  I  paid  horsemen  $50  for 
patrolling  by  night  while  I  had  the  command,  as  I  had  no  foot  for  the 
purpose.  What  resistance  I  made  with  these  four  hundred  men 
against  the  British  army,  I  leave  to  the  officers  who  were  with  me 
to  declare.  Let  it  suffice  for  me  to  say,  that  the  opposition  of  this 
small  party  lasted  from  half  past  9  to  1 2  o'clock .  The  reason  of 
so  few  troops  being  on  Long  Island  was  because  it  was  generally 
supposed  that  the  enemy's  landing  there  was  a  feint  to  draw  our 
troops  thither,  that  they  might  the  more  easily  possess  themselves 
of  New-York.  I  often  urged,  both  by  word  and  writing,  that,  as 
the  enemy  had  doubtless  both  these  objects  in  view,  they  would 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


141 


first  try  for  Long  Island,  which  commanded  the  other;  and  then 
New-York,  which  was  completely  commanded  by  it,  would  fall  of 
course.  But  in  this  I  was  unhappy  enough  to  differ  from  almost  every 
officer  in  the  army,  till  the  event  proved  my  conjectures  were  just. 

808.  Lord  Stirling  to  Gen.  Washington. 

Eagle,  Aug.  29,  1776. 

My  dear  General  :  I  have  now  an  opportunity  of  informing 
you  of  what  has  happened  to  me  since  I  last  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you.  About  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  27th,  I  was 
called  up,  and  informed  by  Gen.  Putnam  that  the  enemy  were  ad- 
vancing by  the  road  from  Flatbush  to  the  Red  Lion,  and  ordered  me 
to  inarch  with  the  two  regiments  nearest  at  hand  to  meet  them ; 
these  happened  to  be  Haslet's  and  Smalhvood's,  with  which  I  accord- 
ingly marched,  and  was  on  the  road  to  the  Narrows  just  as  the  day- 
light began  to  appear.  We  proceeded  to  within  about  half  a  mile 
of  the  Red  Lion,  and  there  met  Col.  Atlee,  with  his  regiment,  who 
informed  me  the  enemy  were  in  sight ;  indeed,  I  then  saw  their  front 
between  us  and  the  Red  Lion.  I  desired  Col.  Atlee  to  place  his 
regiment  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  to  wait  their  coming  up,  while 
I  went  to  form  the  two  regiments  I  had  brought  with  me  along  a 
ridge  from  the  road  up  to  a  piece  of  wood  on  the  top  of  the  hill ; 
this  was  done  instantly  on  very  advantageous  ground.  Our  oppo- 
nents advanced,  and  were  fired  upon  in  the  road  by  Atlee's  regi- 
ment, who  after  two  or  three  rounds,  retreated  to  the  wood  on  my 
left,  and  there  formed.  By  this  time  Kichline's  riflemen  arrived  ; 
part  of  them  I  placed  along  a  hedge  under  the  front  of  the  hill, 
and  the  rest  in  the  front  of  the  wood.  The  troops  opposed  to  me 
were  two  brigades,  of  four  regiments  each,  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Grant,  who  advanced  their  light  troops  to  within  one  hundred 
and  fifty  yards  of  our  right  front,  and  took  possession  of  an  orchard 
there,  and  some  hedges  which  extended  towards  our  left ;  this 
brought  on  an  exchange  of  fire  between  those  troops  and  our  rifle- 
men, which  continued  for  about  two  hours,  and  then  ceased,  by  those 
light  troops  retiring  to  their  main  body.  In  the  meantime  Capt. 
Carpenter  brought  up  two  field-pieces,  which  were  placed  on  the 
side  of  the  hill  so  as  to  command  the  road  and  the  only  approach 
for  some  hundred  yards.  On  the  part  of  Gen.  Grant  there  were  two 
field-pieces ;  one  howitzer  advanced  to  within  300  yards  of  the  front 
7* 


142 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


of  our  right,  and  a  like  detachment  of  artillery  to  the  front  of  our 
left,  on  a  rising  ground,  at  about  600  yards  distance.  One  of  their 
brigades  formed  in  two  lines  opposite  to  our  right,  and  the  others 
extended  in  one  line  to  the  top  of  the  hills  in  front  of  our  left ;  in 
this  position  we  stood  cannonading  each  other  till  near  1 1  o'clock, 
when  I  found  that  Gen.  Howe,  with  the  main  body  of  the  army,  was 
between  me  and  our  lines,  and  saw  that  the  only  chance  of  escaping 
being  all  made  prisoners,  was  to  pass  the  creek  near  the  Yellow 
Mills ;  and  in  order  to  render  this  the  more  practicable,  I  found  it 
absolutely  necessary  to  attack  a  body  of  troops  commanded  by  Lord 
Cornwallis.  posted  at  the  house  near  the  Upper  Mills  ;  this  I  instant- 
ly did,  with  about  half  of  Small  wood's  regiment,  first  ordering  all 
the  other  troops  to  make  the  best  of  their  way  through  the  creek. 
We  continued  the  attack  a  considerable  time,  the  men  having  been 
rallied  and  the  attack  renewed  five  or  six  several  times,  and  were  on 
the  point  of  driving  Lord  Cornwallis  from  his  station,  but  large  suc- 
cors arriving  rendered  it  impossible  to  do  more  than  provide  for  safe- 
ty. I  endeavored  to  get  in  between  that  house  and  Fort  Box  ;  but 
on  attempting  it,  I  found  a  considerable  body  of  troops  in  my  front, 
and  several  in  pursuit  of  me  on  the  right  and  left,  and  a  constant 
firing  on  me.  I  immediately  turned  the  point  of  a  hill,  which  cov- 
ered me  from  their  fire,  and  was  soon  out  of  reach  of  my  pursuers. 
I  soon  found  it  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  make  my  escape,  and 
therefore  went  to  surrender  myself  to  Gen.  De  Heister,  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  Hessians. 

Grant  had  said  that  with  5000  men  he  could  march  from  one  end  of 
the  continent  to  the  other.  Stirling  after  forming  his  troops  said, "  Grant 
may  have  his  5,000  men  with  him,  we  are  not  so  many,  but  I  think  we 
are  enough  to  prevent  his  advancing  further  than  that  mill-pond." 
Stirling,  at  the  head  of  400  Maryland  troops,  attacked  a  corps  under 
Cornwallis,  stationed  in  a  house  at  some  short  distance  above  the  place 
at  which  he  proposed  to  cross  Gowanus  Creek. — Dner's  Life  of  Stirling, 
p.  163. 

[Was  this  the  old  Cortelyou  brick  house  ? — Ed.] 

809.  Col.  Halset  to  Thos.  Bodney. 

Camp  at  Mt.  Washington,  4th  Oct.,  1776. 
On  Sunday  25th  of  Aug.  last,  my  regiment  was  ordered  to  L.  I.,  in 
Lord  Stirling's  Brigade,  composed  mostly  of  the  southern  troops,  by 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


143 


whom  we  were  much  caressed,  and  highly  complimented  on  our  ap- 
pearance and  dexterity  in  the  military  exercise  and  manoeuvres.  On 
Tuesday  27th,  his  brigade,  consisting  of  5  regiments,  and  a  few  of  Sulli- 
van's, not  exceeding  5,000  men,  were  ordered  to  advance  beyond  the 
lines  and  repulse  the  enemy.  To  oppose  this  small  band  were  17,000 
regulars,  much  better  furnished  with  field-pieces  and  every  other  mili- 
tary appointment  than  we.  Several  of  the  regiments  were  broken  and 
dispersed  soon  after  the  first  onset.  The  Delawares  and  Marylanders 
stood  firm  to  the  last ;  and,  after  a  variety  of  skirmishing,  the  Dela- 
wares drew  up  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  and  stood  upwards  of  four  hours 
with  a  firm,  determined  countenance,  in  close  array,  their  colors  flying, 
the  enemy's  artillery  playing  on  them  all  the  while,  not  daring  to  ad- 
vance and  attack  them,  though  six  times  their  number  and  nearly  sur- 
rounding them.  Nor  did  they  think  of  quitting  their  station,  till  an  ex- 
press order  from  the  general  commanded  their  retreat  through  a  marsh 
and  over  a  creek,  the  only  opening  left,  which  they  effected  in  good 
order,  with  the  loss  of  one  man  drowned  in  passing.  The  Delawares 
alone  had  the  honor  of  bringing  off  23  prisoners.  I  must  also  do  Col. 
Smallwood's  battalion  the  justice  to  say,  that  the  spirited  attack  made 
by  them  on  the  enemy  at  the  time  the  Delawares  and  themselves  were 
retreating,  greatly  facilitated  the  escape  of  both.  27  of  the  Delawares 
next  morning  were  missing.  In  that  number  were  Lieuts.  Stewart  and 
Harney,  the  latter  a  prisoner,  and  the  other  not  yet  heard  of.  Major 
McDonough  was  wounded  in  the  knee  :  a  ball  passed  through  the  sleeve 
of  his  coat  without  wounding  the  arm  or  his  body.  Lt.  Anderson  had 
a  ball  lodged  in  his  throat,  Lt.  Corn  a  ball  still  in  his  back:  they  are 
recovered.  The  standard  was  torn  with  grape-shot  in  Ensign  Stephen's 
hand.  In  the  retreat  from  L.  I.,  which  was  conducted  with  great  pru- 
dence, Cols.  Shee,  Smallwood,  Hand,  and  some  others  I  do  not  recol- 
lect, were  called  into  council,  and  requested  to  take  the  defence  of  the 
lines  upon  us,  while  the  main  body  of  the  army  crossed  the  East  River 
to  N.  York,  which  was  accepted  ;  and  last  of  all  crossed  ourselves, 
thank  God,  in  safety. 

810.  From  an  American  Officer,  dated  Aug.  23,  1776. 

Yesterday's  occurrence,  no  doubt,  will  be  described  to  you  various 
ways  :  I  embrace  this  leisure  moment,  to  give  as  satisfactory  an  ac- 
count as  I  am  able.  A  large  body  of  the  enemy,  that  landed  some  time 
since  on  L.  I.,  at  the  end  of  a  beautiful  plain,  had  extended  their  troops 
about  six  miles  from  the  place  of  their  first  landing.  There  were,  at 
this  time,  11  regiments  of  our  troops  posted  in  different  parts  of  the 


144 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


woods,  between  our  lines  and  the  enemy,  through  which  they  must  pass, 
if  they  attempted  any  thing  against  us.  Early  in  the  morning,  our 
scouting  parties  discovered  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  both  horse  and 
foot,  advancing  on  the  Jamaica  road  towards  us :  I  was  dispatched  to 
Gen.  Putnam,  to  inform  him  of  it.  On  my  way  back,  I  discovered,  as 
I  thought,  our  battalion  on  a  hill  coming  in,  dressed  in  hunting  shirts, 
and  was  going  to  join  them,  but  was  stopped  by  a  number  of  our 
soldiers,  who  told  me  they  were  the  enemy  in  our  dress, — on  this  I  pre- 
vailed on  a  sergeant  and  two  men  to  halt,  and  fire  on  them,  which  pro- 
duced a  shower  of  bullets,  and  we  were  obliged  to  retire.  In  the  mean 
time  the  enemy,  with  a  large  body,  penetrated  through  the  woods  on 
our  right  and  centre  or  front  ;  and  about  nine  o'clock,  landed  another 
body  on  our  right,  [at  Bennet's  Cove  1]  the  whole  stretching  across  the 
field  and  woods,  between  our  works  and  our  troops,  and  sending  out 
parties,  accompanied  with  light  horse,  which  harassed  or  surrounded 
*and  surprised  our  new  troops,  who,  however,  sold  their  lives  dear.  Our 
orces  then  made  towards  our  lines,  but  the  enemy  had  taken  possession 
of  the  ground  before  them  by  stolen  marches.  Our  men  broke  through 
parties  after  parties,  but  still  found  the  enemy's  thousands  before  them. 
Cols.  Smallwood's,  Atlee's,  and  Haslet's  battalions,  with  Gen.  Stirling 
at  their  head,  had  collected  on  an  eminence  and  made  a  good  stand  ; 
but  the  enemy  fired  a  field-piece  on  them,  and  being  greatly  superior  in 
number,  obliged  them  to  retreat  into  a  marsh  ;  finding  it  out  of  their 
power  to  withstand  about  six  thousand  men,  they  waded  through  mud 
and  water  to  a  mill  opposite  them  ;  their  retreat  was  covered  by  the 
second  battalion,  which  had  reached  our  lines.  Col.  Lutz's  and  the  N. 
England  regiments  after  this  made  some  resistance  in  the  woods,  but 
were  obliged  by  superior  numbers  to  retire.  Cols.  Miles's  and  Brod- 
head's  battalions,  finding  themselves  surrounded,  determined  to  fight 
and  run  :  they  did  so,  and  broke  through  English  and  Hessians,  dis- 
persed the  horse,  and  at  last  came  in  with  considerable  loss.  Col. 
Parry  was,  early  in  the  day,  shot  through  the  head,  encouraging  his 
men.  Eighty  of  our  battalion  came  in  this  morning,  having  forced 
their  way  through  the  enemy's  rear,  and  come  round  by  the  way  of 
Hellgate :  we  expect  more,  who  are  missing,  will  come  in  the  same 
way. 

811.    Extract  from  Col.  Smallwood's  Letter,  Oct.  12,  '76. 
The  enemy  from  the  21st  to  the  27th  of  Aug  ,  were  landing  their 
troops  on  the  lower  part  of  L.  I.,  where  they  pitched  a  large  encamp- 
ment, and  ours  and  their  advanced  parties  were  daily  skirmishing 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


145 


at  long  shot,  in  which  neither  party  suffered  much.  On  the  26th,  the 
Delaware  and  Maryland  troops,  which  composed  part  of  Lord  Stirling's 
brigade,  were  ordered  over.  Col.  Haslet  and  myself  were  detained  on  the 
trial  of  Lt.  Col.  Tedwitz.  After  our  dismission,  it  was  too  late  to  get  over, 
but  pushing  over  early  next  morning  we  found  our  regiments  engaged  ; 
Lord  Stirling  having  marched  them  off  before  day  to  take  possession  of 
the  woods  and  difficult  passes  between  our  lines  and  the  enemies'  en- 
campment. But  the  enemy,  overnight,  had  stole  a  march  on  our  gen- 
erals, having  got  through  those  passes,  met  and  surrounded  our  troops 
on  the  plain  grounds  within  two  miles  of  our  lines.  Lord  Stirling  drew 
up  his  brigade  on  an  advantageous  rising  ground,  where  he  was  attacked 
by  two  brigades  in  front,  headed  by  the  Gens  Cornwallis  [Cornwallis 
was  in  his  rear. — Ed  ]  and  Grant,  and  in  his  rear  the  main  body  stood 
ready  drawn  up  to  support  their  own  parties,  and  intercept  the  retreat  of 
ours :  this  excellent  disposition,  and  their  superior  numbers,  ought  to  have 
taught  our  generals  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost  in  securing  their  retreat, 
which  might  at  first  have  been  effected,  had  the  troops  formed  into  a 
heavy  column  and  pushed  their  retreat ;  but  the  longer  this  was  delayed 
it  became  the  more  dangerous,  as  they  were  then  landing  more  troops  in 
front  from  the  ships.  [Bennet's  Cove?]  Our  brigade  kept  their  ground 
for  several  hours,  and  in  general  behaved  well,  having  received  some 
heavy  fires  from  the  artillery  and  musketry  of  the  enemy,  whom  they 
repulsed  several  times  ;  but  their  attacks  were  neither  so  vigorous  or 
lasting  as  was  expected,  owing,  as  it  was  imagined,  to  their  being  cer- 
tain of  making  the  whole  brigade  prisoners  of  war,  for  by  this  time  they 
had  so  secured  the  passes  on  the  road  to  our  lines,  (seeing  our  parties 
were  not  supported  from  thence,  which  indeed  our  numbers  would  not 
admit  of,)  that  there  was  no  possibility  of  retreating  that  way.  Between 
the  place  of  action  and  our  lines  there  lay  a  large  marsh  and  deep 
creek,  not  above  80  yds.  across  at  the  mouth,  (the  place  of  action  upon 
a  direct  line  did  not  much  exceed  a  mile  from  a  part  of  our  lines,) 
towards  the  head  of  which  creek  there  was  a  mill  and  bridge,  across 
which  a  certain  Col.  Ward,  from  New  England,  who  is  charged  with 
having  acted  a  bashful  part  that  day,  passed  over  with  his  regiment  and 
then  burnt  them  down,  though  under  cover  of  our  cannon,  which  would 
have  checked  the  enemy's  pursuit  at  any  time,  otherwise  this  bridge 
might  have  afforded  a  secure  retreat.  There  then  remained  no  other 
prospect  but  to  surrender,  or  attempt  to  retreat  over  this  marsh  and  creek 
at  the  mouth,  where  no  person  had  ever  been  known  to  cross.  In  the 
interim  I  applied  to  Gen.  Washington  for  some  regiments  to  march  out 


146 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


to  support  and  cover  their  retreat,  which  he  urged  would  be  attended 
with  too  great  risk  to  the  party  and  the  lines.  He  immediately  after- 
wards sent  for  and  ordered  me  to  march  down  a  New  England  regiment, 
and  Capt.  Thomas's  company,  which  had  just  come  over  from  N.  York, 
to  the  mouth  of  the  creek  opposite  where  the  brigade  was  drawn  up, 
and  ordered  two  field-pieces  down  to  support  and  cover  their  retreat, 
should  they  make  a  push  that  way.  Soon  after  our  march,  they 
began  to  retreat,  and  for  a  short  time  the  fire  was  very  heavy  on  both 
sides,  till  our  troops  came  to  the  marsh,  where  they  were  obliged  to 
break  their  order,  and  escape  as  quick  as  they  could  to  the  edge  of  the 
creek,  under  a  brisk  fire,  notwithstanding  which  they  brought  off  28 
prisoners.  The  enemy  taking  advantage  of  a  commanding  ground, 
kept  up  a  continual  fire  from  four  field-pieces,  which  were  well  served 
and  directed,  and  a  heavy  column  advancing  on  the  marsh  must  have 
cut  our  people  off,  their  guns  being  wet  and  muddy,  not  one  of  them 
could  have  fired,  but  having  drawn  up  the  musketry  and  disposed  of 
some  riflemen  conveniently,  with  orders  to  fire  on  them  when  they  came 
within  shot.  However,  the  latter  began  their  fire  too  soon,  being  at  200 
yds.  distance,  which  notwithstanding  had  the  desired  effect,  for  the  ene- 
my immediately  retreated  to  the  fast  land,  where  they  continued  parad- 
ing within  600  yds.  till  our  troops  were  brought  over.  Most  of  those 
who  swam  over,  and  others  who  attempted  to  cross  before  the  covering 
party  got  down,  lost  their  arms  and  accoutrements  in  the  mud  and  creek, 
and  some  fellows  their  lives,  particularly  two  of  the  Maryland,  two  of 
the  Delaware,  and  one  of  Astley's  Pennsylvania  regiments,  and  two 
Hessian  prisoners  were  drowned.  Thomas's  men  contributed  much  in 
bringing  over  this  party.  I  have  inclosed  a  list  of  the  killed  and  missing, 
amounting  to  256,  officers  included.  It  has  been  said  the  enemy  during 
the  action  also  attacked  our  lines,  but  this  was  a  mistake.  Not  know- 
ing the  ground,  one  of  their  columns  advanced  within  long  shot,  without 
knowing  they  were  so  near,  and  upon  our  artillery  and  part  of  the  mus- 
ketry's firing  on  them,  they  immediately  fled.  The  28th,  during  a  very 
hard  rain,  there  was  an  alarm  that  the  enemy  had  advanced  to  attack 
our  lines,  which  alarmed  the  troops  much,  but  was  without  foundation. 
The  29th,  it  was  found  by  a  general  council  of  war,  that  our  fortifica- 
tions were  not  tenable,  and  it  was  therefore  judged  expedient  that  the 
army  should  retreat  from  the  Island  that  night.  To  effect  which,  not- 
withstanding the  Maryland  troops  had  but  one  day's  respite,  and  many 
other  troops  had  been  many  days  clear  of  any  detail  duty,  they  were 
ordered  on  the  advanced  post  at  Fort  Putnam  within  250  yds.  of  the 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


147 


enemy's  approaches,  and  joined  with  two  Pennsylvania  regiments  on 
the  left,  were  to  remain  and  cover  the  retreat  of  the  army,  which  was 
happily  completed  under  cover  of  a  thick  fog  and  a  southwest  wind, 
both  which  favored  our  retreat,  otherwise  the  fear,  disorder,  and  confu- 
sion of  some  of  the  eastern  troops  must  have  retarded  and  discovered 
our  retreat,  and  subjected  numbers  to  be  cut  off. 
[See  also  Col.  Graydon's  Memoirs. — Ed.] 

812.  N.  York,  Sep.  1/76.  Last  Monday  we  went  over  to  L.  I.,  and 
about  midnight  were  alarmed  by  some  of  our  scouting  parties,  who  advis- 
ed us  that  the  enemy  were  coming  up  the  Island  with  several  field-pieces. 
Upon  which  near  3,000  men  were  ordered  out,  chiefly  of  Marylanders 
and  Pennsylvanians,  to  attack  them  on  their  march.  About  sunrise  we 
came  up  with  a  large  body  of  them.  The  Delaware  and  Maryland  bat- 
talion made  one  part.  Col.  Atlee,  with  his  battalion,  a  little  before  us, 
had  taken  post  in  an  orchard,  and  behind  a  barn  ;  and  on  the  approach 
of  the  enemy,  he  gave  them  a  very  severe  fire  for  a  considerable  time, 
till  they  were  near  surrounding  him,  when  he  retreated  to  the  woods. 
The  enemy  then  advanced  to  us,  when  Lord  Stirling,  who  commanded, 
immediately  drew  up  in  a  line,  and  offered  them  battle  in  the  true  Eng- 
lish taste.  The  British  then  advanced  within  about  300  yards  of  us, 
and  began  a  very  heavy  fire  from  their  cannon  and  mortars :  for  both 
the  balls  and  shells  flew  very  fast,  now  and  then  taking  off  a  head. 
Our  men  stood  it  amazingly  well,  not  even  one  showed  a  disposition  to 
shrink.  Our  orders  were  not  to  fire  till  the  enemy  came  within  50  yards 
of  us  ;  but  when  they  perceived  we  stood  their  fire  so  coolly  and  resolute- 
ly, they  declined  coming  any  nearer,  though  treble  our  number.  In  this 
situation  we  stood  from  sunrise  till  12  o'clock,  the  enemy  firing  on  us 
the  chief  part  of  the  time,  when  the  main  body  of  British,  by  a  route  we 
never  dreamed  of,  had  surrounded  us,  and  driven  within  the  lines,  or 
scattered  in  the  woods,  all  our  men  except  the  Delaware  and  Maryland 
battalions,  who  were  standing  at  bay  with  double  their  number.  Thus 
situated,  we  were  ordered  to  attempt  a  retreat  by  fighting  our  way 
through  the  enemy,  who  had  posted  themselves  and  nearly  filled  every 
road  and  field  between  us  and  our  lines.  We  had  not  retreated  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile,  before  we  were  fired  on  by  an  advanced  party  of  the 
enemy,  and  those  in  the  rear  playing  their  artillery  on  us.  Our  men 
fought  with  more  than  Roman  valor.  We  forced  the  advanced  party 
which  first  attacked  us  to  give  way,  through  which  opening  we  got  a 
passage  down  to  the  side  of  a  marsh,  seldom  before  waded  over,  which 
we  passed,  and  then  swam  a  narrow  river,  all  the  while  exposed  to  the 


143 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


enemy's  fire.  Capts.  Ramsay's  and  Scott's  companies  were  in  front 
and  sustained  the  first  fire  of  the  enemy,  when  hardly  a  man  fell. 
The  whole  of  the  right  wing  of  our  battalion  thinking  it  impossible  to 
march  through  the  marsh,  attempted  to  force  their  way  through  the 
woods,  where  they,  almost  to  a  man,  were  killed  or  taken. 

The  Maryland  battalion  has  lost  259  men,  amongst  whom  are  12 
officers :  Capts.  Veasy  and  Bowey  ;  Lts.  Butler,  Sterrit,  Dent,  Coursey, 
Muse,  Prawl  ;  Ensigns  Corts,  Fernandes.  Who  killed  and  who  pri- 
soners is  yet  uncertain.  Cols.  Atlee,  Miles  and  Piper,  are  also  taken. 
1,000  men  missing  in  all.  We  took  a  few  prisoners.  Many  officers 
lost  their  swords  and  guns.  Most  of  our  Generals  on  a  high  hill  in  the 
lines,  viewed  us  with  glasses,  as  we  were  retreating,  and  saw  the  enemy 
we  had  to  pass  through,  though  we  could  not.  Many  thought  we 
would  surrender  in  a  body  without  firing.  When  we  began  the  attack, 
[to  cut  through  1]  Gen.  Washington  wrung  his  hands,  and  cried  out, 
"Good  God!  what  brave  fellows  I  must  this  day  lose!"  Major  Guest 
commanded  the  Maryland  battalion,  (the  Col.  and  Lt.  Col.  being 
both  at  York,)  Capts.  Adams  and  Lucas  were  sick.  The  Major,  Capt. 
Ramsay,  and  Lt.  Plunket  were  foremost  and  within  100  yards  of  the 
enemy's  muzzles,  when  they  were  fired  on  by  the  enemy,  who  were 
chiefly  under  cover  of  an  orchard,  save  a  few  that  showed  themselves 
and  pretended  to  give  up  ;  clubbing  their  firelocks  till  we  came  within 
40  yards,  when  they  immediately  presented,  and  blazed  in  our 
faces ;  they  entirely  overshot  us,  and  killed  some  men  away  behind  in 
the  rear.  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  dropping  one  the  first  fire.  I  was 
so  near  I  could  not  miss.    I  discharged  my  rifle  7  times  that  day. 

813.     From  an  Officer  in  Col.  Atlee's  Battalion,  dated  Aug.  27. 

Yesterday,  about  120  of  our  men  went  as  a  guard  to  a  place  on  L. 
I.  called  Red  Lion;  about  11  at  night  the  sentries  descried  2  men 
coming  up  a  water-melon  patch,  upon  which  our  men  fired  on  them. 
The  enemy  then  retreated,  and  about  1  o'clock  advanced  with  200  or  300 
men,  and  endeavored  to  surround  our  guard,  but  they  being  watchful, 
gave  them  2  or  3  fires,  and  retreated  to  alarm  the  remainder  of  the  bat., 
except  one  Lt.  and  about  15  men  who  have  not  been  heard  of  as  yet. 
About  4  o'clock  this  morning,  the  alarm  was  given  by  beating  to  arms, 
when  the  remainder  of  our  battalion,  accompanied  by  the  Delaware  and 
Maryland  battalions,  went  to  the  place  our  men  retreated  from.  About 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  this  side,  we  saw  the  enemy,  when  we  got  into  the 
woods  (our  battalion  being  the  advance  guard)  amidst  the  incessant 
fire  of  their  field-pieces,  loaded  with  grape  shot,  which  continued  till 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


149 


10  o'clock.  The  Marylanders  on  the  left,  and  we  on  the  right,  kept  up 
a  constant  fire  amid  all  their  cannon,  and  saw  several  of  them  fall  ;  but 
they  being  too  many,  we  retreated  a  little,  and  then  made  a  stand. 
Our  Lt.  Col.  Parry  was  shot  through  the  head,  and  I  retreated  with 
him  to  secure  his  effects,  since  which,  I  hear  the  enemy  are  within  60 
yards  of  our  lines. 

814.  An  officer  of  distinction  in  the  battle,  having  seen  high 
encomiums  on  Col.  Miles,  writes  the  following,  as  a  corrective,  dated, 
N.  Y.,  Sep.  10,  '7G: 

"  The  enemy  were  some  days  encamped  at  Flatbush,  about  3£  miles 
South  and  East  of  our  lines.  Within  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy  is  a 
ridge  of  hills  covered  with  wood,  running  from  the  Narrows  about 
North-east  toward  Jamaica,  about  6  miles.  Through  this  woods  are 
three  passes,  which  we  kept  strongly  guarded,  800  men  at  each,  to  pre- 
vent the  enemy  penetrating  the  woods.  The  night  before  Aug.  27,  on 
the  west  road  were  posted  Col.  Hand's  regiment,  a  detachment  from 
Penn.  and  N.  Y.,  next  East  were  posted  Col.  Johnson,  of  Jersey,  and 
Lt.  Col.  Henshaw,  of  Mass.  ;  next  East  were  posted  Col.  Wyllys  and 
Lt.  Col.  Wills,  of  Conn. ;  East  of  all  these  Col.  Miles  of  Penn.  was 
posted  toward  Jamaica,  to  watch  the  motion  of  the  enemy,  and  give  in- 
telligence. Col.  Miles's  guard  on  the  East  of  the  woods,  by  some  fata- 
lity, what  I  don't  know,  suffered  the  enemy  to  march  their  main  body 
to  the  East  of  the  woods,  and  advance  near  two  miles  in  rear  of  our 
guards  in  the  woods  without  discovery.  Con.  Gaz.  No.  673. 

815.  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  an  American  Officer. 
"Yesterday  morning,  or  some  time  in  the  night  before,  the  British 

landed  a  large  body  on  a  neck  of  land,  on  this  side  the  mountains,  and 
on  a  place  where  our  guards  were  stationed.  [Was  this  Rennet's  Cove  1] 
This  soon  brought  on  a  warm  engagement,  which  lasted  from  2  or  3 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  to  1  or  2  in  the  afternoon.  The  British  en- 
deavored to  force  our  lines.  Our  batteries  mowed  them  down  like 
grass." 

816.  Samuel  Mills,  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  enlisted  in  May,  1776,  in  Capt. 
Jacob  Wright's  company  of  6  mo.  volunteers;  his  1st  lieut.  was  North, 
from  Newtown;  one  Wilson  of  Jamaica  was  orderly  sergeant.  Cap. 
Wright's  co.  was  principally  from  Jamaica  ;  another  company  of  volun- 
teers from  Kings  county,  under  Capt.  Van  Nuys,  united  with  Cap. 
Wright's  co.  to  fill  up  Col.  Lasher's  1st  New-York  regiment — Gen. 
Scott's  brigade.  On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  L.  I.  Mills  was  one  of  the 
inside  guard  and  stationed  in  Cobble  Hill  fort,  was  not  in  the  battle  ; 


150 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


his  station  was  in  the  fort  for  that  day.  There  were  120  grenadiers  in 
Col.  Lasher's  regiment.  When  it  was  known  that  the  Americans  were 
retreating,  the  grenadiers  were  stationed  at  regular  distances  inside  the 
American  lines,  each  one  having  6  hand-grenades  beside  their  other 
arms.  In  the  afternoon  and  evening,  previous  to  crossing  over  to  N. 
Y.,  the  soldiers  were  continually  marching  and  countermarching  ;  one 
regiment  would  march  up  and  two  down,  one  up  and  two  down,  so  that 
the  troops  were  kept  in  ignorance  of  what  the  final  move  would  be,  but 
generally  supposed  that  an  attack  of  the  British  would  take  place  the 
next  day.  The  boats  were  constantly  going  and  coming  to  and  from 
N.  Y.  during  the  final  retreat,  and  when  Mills'  co.  landed  in  N.  Y.,  it 
was  3  o'clock  a.  m. 

From  Mrs.  Catharine  R.  Williams'  Life  of  Stephen  Olney  of 
Rhode  Island. 

817.  "  Soon  after  the  evacuation  of  Boston,  Olney's  regiment,  under 
Lt.  Col.  Ezekiel  Cornell  of  Scituate,  was  ordered  to  N.  Y.  They  arrived 
after  a  tedious  overland  march,  and  were  posted  on  Brooklyn  Heights, 
and  employed  in  throwing  up  fortifications.  Olney,  with  his  regiment, 
was  ordered  on  picket  guard,  and  lay  the  night  preceding  the  battle  on 
their  arms  in  a  wood  within  one  mile  of  the  enemy.  The  ground  be- 
ing covered  with  wood,  we  were  not  exactly  apprized  of  our  situation. 
At  daylight  hearing  a  firing  in  front  and  rear,  we  perceived  we  were 
surrounded,  but  saw  no  enemy  as  yet.  Lt.  Col.  Cornell  ordered  Capt. 
Tew's  platoon,  to  which  I  belonged,  to  move  in  front  to  protect  our  sen- 
tries, and  he  marched  our  regiment  toward  our  forts,  where  the  firing 
continued.  When  they  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  they  run  their  way 
through  and  gained  the  camp.  Many  who  hid  in  the  woods  came  i:i 
the  camp  after  night.  But  to  return  to  Capt.  Tew.  He  marched  a  lit- 
tle distance  in  front,  but  as  the  firing  continued  in  our  rear,  he  detached 
me  with  20  men  in  front  to  protect  the  sentries,  and  he  marched  after 
and  shared  the  fate  of  his  reg. — the  fate  of  those  who  fell  on  the  sword 
of  the  enemy.  I  marched  forward  and  found  the  enemy  firing  their 
field-pieces  and  some  small  arms  into  the  woods,  where  our  sentries 
were  placed,  but  the  balls  seemed  to  make  most  havoc  in  the  tops  of  the 
trees.  I  placed  my  men  behind  trees,  and  they  kept  up  a  deliberate 
fire.  In  half  an  hour  the  firing  in  the  rear  ceased,  and  I  discovered  a 
party  of  the  enemy  coming  to  us  in  that  direction.  I  formed  my  men 
and  marched  off  in  very  quick  time  towards  our  home,  believing  the 
enemy  were  between  us  and  the  forts.  In  about  a  mile  we  came  out  of 
the  woods  into  a  field  beside  the  road  which  led  by  a  school-house,  by 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


151 


which  we  must  pass  to  get  over  the  mill  dam  to  our  fort.  On  getting 
over  the  fence  I  saw  the  enemy  into  the  road,  as  near  the  school-house 
as  we  were,  drawn  up  in  line  viewing  our  works.  The  enemy  saw  us 
and  ran  ahead  and  fired  ;  nevertheless  I  got  nearly  all  my  men  past  the 
school-house.  After  we  passed  them  100  yards,  they  huddled  together 
on  the  road.  I  ordered  my  men  to  face  about,  give  them  one  well  di- 
rected fire,  which  I  saw  from  the  staggering  had  taken  good  effect.  Af- 
ter we  got  in  our  fort  there  came  on  a  dreadful  heavy  storm  with  thun- 
der and  lightning,  and  the  rain  fell  m  such  torrents  that  the  water  was 
soon  ankle-deep  in  the  fort.  With  all  these  inconveniences,  and  an 
enemy  just  without  musket-shot,  our  men  could  not  be  kept  awake. 
They  would  sit  down  and  fall  asleep,  though  Lt.  Col.  Cornell  threatened 
to  make  daylight  shine  through  them.  All  that  seemed  to  prevent  the 
enemy  taking  our  main  fort  was  a  scarecrow  row  of  palisades  from  the 
fort  to  low  water  in  the  cove,  which  Major  Box  had  set  up  that  morn- 
ing. On  our  retreat  to  N.  Y.,  we  had  to  take  our  baggage,  camp-equi- 
page, &c,  on  our  shoulders  to  the  boats,  and  tedious  was  the  operation 
through  mud  and  mire."  Page  170-5. 

[The  above  account,  as  well  as  many  of  the  others,  is  quite  con- 
fused, owing  to  Olney's  ignorance  of  the  localities.  Perhaps  the  ori- 
ginal letters  would  clear  up  some  obscure  passages. — Ed.] 

Major  PophanCs  account  of  the  part  he  took  in  the  Battle  of  L.  I. 
818.  On  or  about  Aug  21,  '76,  I  arrived  in  N.  Y.  a  2d  Lt.  in  Col. 
Haslet's  regiment ;  a  few  days  after  I  was  ordered  with  the  Delaware 
regiment  to  cross  over  to  L.  I.,  on  Saturday,  I  believe.  On  Sunday  I 
saw  the  Maryland  regiment  reviewed  by  Col.  Smallwood  in  front  of  the 
Corkscrew  fort.  Next  day,  or  next  but  one,  I  marched  toward  the 
ground  occupied  by  our  army,  in  the  summit  of  the  high  ground  in  front 
of  Gowanus,  near  the  edge  of  the  river,  where  the  enemy  were  landing 
from  their  ships,  [Bennet's  Cove,]  one  or  two  lying  near  the  shore  to 
cover  the  landing.  Many  shots  were  exchanged  between  us  and  the 
enemy.  About  12  o'clock  Gen.  Stirling  came  to  the  east  brow  of  the 
hill  and  ordered  the  Delaware  regiment  up.  Here  we  received  the  first 
order  to  load  with  ball,  and  take  care  that  our  men  (who  were  awkward 
Irishmen  and  others)  put  in  the  powder  first.  We  then  marched  up 
and  joined  the  army  which  was  drawn  up  in  line,  my  regiment  and  my 
company  on  the  left.  The  whole  bay  was  covered  with  the  enemy's 
shipping.  The  firing  continued  all  the  time  of  the  enemy's  landing,  and 
we  lost  several  men.  About  this  time  the  enemy  began  to  send  detach 


152 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THK 


ments  as  scouts  on  our  left,  when  Capt.  Wragg  and  18  men,  supposing 
us  to  be  Hessians  by  the  similarity  of  our  dress,  approached  too  near 
before  he  discovered  his  mistake,  when  my  company  attacked  and  took 
them  prisoners.  I  was  immediately  ordered  with  a  guard  to  convey 
them  across  the  creek  in  our  rear  to  our  lines.  On  descending  the  high 
ground  we  reached  a  salt  meadow,  over  which  we  passed,  though  not 
miry,  yet  very  unfavorable  to  silk  stockings  and  my  over-clothes.  When 
we  had  reached  about  half  way  to  the  creek,  the  enemy  brought  a 
couple  of  pieces  to  bear  upon  us,  which,  when  Wragg  saw,  he  halted, 
in  the  hope  of  a  rescue  ;  but  on  my  ordering  him  to  march  forward  in- 
stantly, or  I  should  fire  on  him,  he  moved  on.  When  we  got  to  the 
creek,  the  bank  of  which  was  exceedingly  muddy,  we  waded  up  to  our 
waists.  I  got  in  after  my  people  and  prisoners,  and  an  old  canoe  that 
had  been  split  and  incapable  of  floating  except  by  the  buoyancy  of  the 
wood,  served  to  help  those  who  wanted  help  to  cross  a  deep  hole  in  the 
creek,  by  pushing  it  across  from  the  bank  which  it  had  reached.  I  had 
advanced  so  far  into  the  mud,  and  was  so  fatigued  with  anxiety  and 
exercise,  that  I  sat  down  on  the  mud  with  the  water  up  to  my  breast, 
Wragg's  fusee,  cartouch-box,  and  bayonet  on  my  shoulder ;  in  which 
situation  I  sat  till  my  charge  were  all  safely  landed  on  the  rear. 

Wm.  Pnpham,  <zt.  92. 

819.  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  a  British  Officer  on  L.  I,  Sep.  4, '76, 
to  his  friend  in  Aberdeen. 

The  2d  battalion  of  grenadiers,  which  was  sent  from  our  right  to 
support  Gen.  Grant,  unfortunately  mistook  a  rebel  regiment  (blue  faced 
with  red)  for  the  Hessians,  and  received  several  fires  from  them  without 
returning  it ;  and  Lt.  Wragg  of  the  marines,  and  20  men,  being  sent 
out  to  speak  to  them,  were  made  prisoners.  At  length  the  mistake  be- 
ing discovered,  they  were  soon  beat  and  dispersed,  but  we  lost  several 
officers  and  men,  and  some  of  the  rebels  got  off. 

820.       Narration  of  the  Battle  fought  on  Long  Island. 

Aug.  27,  '76.  James  S.  Martin,  a  native  of  Conn.,  published  in 
1830,  a  sketch  of  his  life,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Adventures  of  a 
Revolutionary  Soldier." 

"  In  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  August,  I  was  ordered  upon  a 
fatigue  party  ;  we  had  scarcely  reached  the  grand  parade,  when  I  saw 
our  sergeant  major  directing  his  course  up  Broadway,  towards  us,  in 
rather  an  unusual  step  for  him  ;  he  soon  arrived,  and  informed  us  and 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


153 


then  the  commanding  officer  of  the  party,  that  he  had  orders  to  take 
off'  all  belonging  to  our  regiment  and  march  us  to  our  quarters,  as  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Long  Island,  the  British  having  landed  in 
force  there.  Although  this  was  not  unexpected  to  me,  yet  it  gave  me 
rather  a  disagreeable  feeling,  as  I  was  pretty  well  assured  I  should  have 
to  snuff  a  little  gunpowder.  However,  I  kept  my  cogitations  to  my- 
self, went  to  my  quarters,  packed  up  my  clothes,  and  got  myself  in 
readiness  for  the  expedition  as  soon  as  possible.  I  then  went  to  the 
top  of  the  house,  where  I  had  a  full  view  of  that  part  of  the  Island  ;  I 
distinctly  saw  the  smoke  of  the  field-artillery,  but  the  distance  and  the 
unfavorableness  of  the  wind  prevented  my  hearing  their  report,  at  least 
but  faintly.  The  horrors  of  battle  then  presented  themselves  to  my 
mind  in  all  their  hideousness  ;  I  must  come  to  it  now,  thought  I — well, 
I  will  endeavor  to  do  my  duty  as  well  as  I  am  able,  and  leave  the 
event  with  Providence.  We  were  soon  ordered  to  our  regimental  pa- 
rade, from  which,  as  soon  as  the  regiment  was  formed,  we  were  marched 
off  for  the  ferry.  At  the  lower  end  of  the  street  were  placed  several 
casks  of  sea  bread,  made,  I  believe,  of  canel  and  pease-meal,  nearly 
hard  enough  for  musket  flints ;  the  casks  were  unheaded,and  each  man 
was  allowed  to  take  as  many  as  he  could,  as  he  marched  by.  As  my 
good  luck  would  have  it,  there  was  a  momentary  halt  made ;  I  im- 
proved the  opportunity  thus  offered  me,  as  every  good  soldier  should 
upon  all  important  occasions,  to  get  as  many  of  the  biscuit  as  I  possibly 
could  ;  no  one  said  any  thing  to  me,  and  I  filled  my  bosom,  and  took 
as  many  as  I  could  hold  in  my  hand,  a  dozen  or  more  in  all,  and  when 
we  arrived  at  the  ferry-stairs  I  stowed  them  away  in  my  knapsack. 
We  quickly  embarked  on  board  the  boats ;  as  each  boat  started,  three 
cheers  were  given  by  those  on  board,  which  was  returned  by  the  nu- 
merous spectators  who  thronged  the  wharves  ;  they  all  wished  us  good 
luck,  apparently  ;  although  it  was  with  most  of  them,  perhaps,  nothing 
more  than  ceremony.  We  soon  landed  at  Brooklyn,  upon  the  Island, 
marched  up  the  ascent  from  the  ferry  to  the  plain.  We  now  began  to 
meet  the  wounded  men,  another  sight  I  was  unacquainted  with,  some 
with  broken  arms,  some  with  broken  legs,  and  some  with  broken  heads. 
The  sight  of  these  a  little  daunted  me,  and  made  me  think  of  home,  but 
the  sight  and  thought  vanished  together.  We  marched  a  short  distance, 
when  we  halted  to  refresh  ourselves.  Whether  we  had  any  other  vic- 
tuals beside  the  hard  bread  I  do  not  remember,  but  I  remember  my 
gnawing  at  them  ;  they  were  hard  enough  to  break  the  teeth  of  a  rat. 
One  of  the  soldiers  complaining  of  thirst  to  his  officer ;  look  at  that 


154 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


man,  said  he,  pointing  to  me,  he  is  not  thirsty,  I  will  warrant  it.  I  felt 
a  little  elevated  to  be  styled  a  man.  While  resting  here,  which  was 
not  more  than  twenty  minutes  or  half  an  hour,  the  Americans  and 
British  were  warmly  engaged  within  sight  of  us.  What  were  the  feel- 
ings of  most  or  all  the  young  soldiers  at  this  time,  I  know  not,  but  I 
know  what  were  mine  ; — but  let  mine  or  theirs  be  what  they  might,  I 
saw  a  lieutenant  who  appeared  to  have  feelings  not  very  enviable  ; 
whether  he  was  actuated  by  fear  or  the  canteen,  t  cannot  determine 
now ;  I  thought  it  fear  at  the  time  ;  for  he  ran  round  among  the  men 
of  his  company,  snivelling  and  blubbering,  praying  each  one  if  he  had 
aught  against  him,  or  if  he  had  injured  any  one  that  they  would  forgive 
him,  declaring  at  the  same  time  that  he,  from  his  heart,  forgave  them  if 
they  had  offended  him,  and  I  gave  him  full  credit  for  his  assertion  ;  for 
had  he  been  at  the  gallows  with  a  halter  about  his  neck,  he  could  not 
have  shown  more  fear  or  penitence.  A  fine  soldier  you  are,  I  thought, 
a  fine  officer,  an  exemplary  man  for  young  soldiers.  The  officers  of  the 
new  levies  wore  cockades  of  different  colors  to  distinguish  them  from 
the  standing  forces,  as  they  were  called  ;  the  field  officers  wore  red, 
the  captains  white,  and  the  subaltern  officers  green.  While  we  were 
resting  here  our  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Major,  (our  Colonel  not  being 
with  us,)  took  their  cockades  from  their  hats  ;  being  asked  the  reason, 
the  Lieutenant-Colonel  replied,  that  he  was  willing  to  risk  his  life  in 
the  cause  of  his  country,  but  was  unwilling  to  stand  a  mark  for  the 
enemy  to  fire  at.  He  was  a  fine  officer  and  a  brave  soldier.  We  were 
soon  called  upon  to  fall  in  and  proceed.  We  had  not  gone  far,  about 
half  a  mile,  when  1  heard  one  in  the  rear  ask  another  where  his  musket 
was  ;  I  looked  round  and  saw  one  of  the  soldiers  stemming  off  without 
his  gun,  having  left  it  where  we  last  halted  ;  he  was  inspecting  his  side 
as  if  undetermined  whether  he  had  left  it  or  not,  he  then  fell  out  of  the 
ranks  to  go  in  search  of  it :  one  of  the  company  who  had  brought  it  on 
(wishing  to  see  how  far  he  would  go  before  he  missed  it)  gave  it  to  him. 
We  overtook  a  small  party  of  artillery  here,  dragging  a  heavy  twelve 
pounder  upon  a  field  carriage,  sinking  half  way  into  sandy  soil. — They 
plead  hard  for  some  one  to  assist  them  to  get  on  their  piece  ;  our  offi- 
cers paid  no  attention  to  their  entreaties,  but  pressed  forward  towards 
a  creek,  where  a  large  party  of  Americans  and  British  were  engaged. 
By  the  time  we  arrived,  the  enemy  had  driven  our  men  into  the  creek, 
or  rather  mill  pond,  (the  tide  being  up,)  where  such  as  could  swim  got 
across ;  those  that  could  not  swim,  and  could  not  procure  any  thing  to 
buoy  them  up,  sunk.    The  British  having  several  field-pieces  stationed 


BATTLE  OF   LONG  ISLAND. 


155 


by  a  brick  house,  were  pouring  ihe  cannister  and  grape  upon  the  Amer- 
icans like  a  shower  of  hail  ;  they  would  doubtless  have  done  them 
much  more  damage  than  they  did,  but  for  the  twelve  pounder  men- 
tioned above  ;  the  men  having  gotten  it  within  sufficient  distance  to 
reach  them,  and  opening  a  fire  upon  them,  soon  obliged  them  to  shift 
their  quarters.  There  was  in  this  action  a  regiment  of  Maryland 
troops  (volunteers),  all  young  men.  When  they  came  out  of  the  wa- 
ter and  mud  to  us,  looking  like  water  rats,  it  was  truly  a  pitiful  sight. 
Many  of  them  were  killed  in  the  pond,  and  more  were  drowned. 
Some  of  us  went  into  the  water  after  the  fall  of  the  tide,  and  took  out 
a  number  of  the  corpses  and  a  great  many  arms  that  were  sunk  in  the 
pond  and  creek.  Our  regiment  lay  on  the  ground  we  then  occupied 
the  following  night.  The  next  day  in  the  afternoon,  we  had  a  consid- 
erable tight  scratch  with  about  an  equal  number  of  the  British,  which 
began  rather  unexpectedly,  and  a  little  whimsically.  A  few  of  our 
regiment  went  over  the  creek,  upon  business  that  usually  employed  us, 
that  is,  in  search  of  something  to  eat.  There  was  a  field  of  Indian 
corn  at  a  short  distance  from  the  creek,  with  several  cocks  of  hay 
about  half  way  from  the  creek  to  the  cornfield  ;  the  men  purposed  to 
get  some  of  the  corn,  or  any  thing  else  that  was  eatable.  When  they 
got  up  with  the  haycocks,  they  were  fired  upon  by  about  an  equal 
number  of  the  British,  from  the  cornfield  ;  our  people  took  to  the  hay, 
and  the  others  to  the  fence,  where  they  exchanged  a  number  of  shots 
at  each  other,  neither  side  inclining  to  give  back.  A  number,  say  forty 
or  fifty  more  of  our  men,  went  over  and  drove  the  British  from  the 
fence  ;  they  were  by  this  time  reinforced  in  their  turn,  and  drove  us 
back.  The  two  parties  kept  thus  alternately  reinforcing,  until  we  had 
the  most  of  our  regiment  in  action.  After  the  officers  came  to  com- 
mand, the  English  were  soon  routed  from  the  place,  but  we  dar«  not 
follow  them  for  fear  of  falling  into  some  snare,  as  the  whole  British 
army  was  in  the  vicinity  of  us  ;  I  do  not  recollect  that  we  had  any  one 
killed  outright,  but  we  had  several  severely  wounded,  and  some  I  be- 
lieve mortally.  Our  regiment  was  alone,  no  other  troops  being  near 
where  we  were  lying ;  we  were  upon  a  rising  ground,  covered  with  a 
young  growth  of  trees  ;  we  felled  a  fence  of  trees  around  us  to  prevent 
the  approach  of  the  enemies'  horse.  We  lay  there  a  day  longer  :  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  afternoon  there  fell  a  very  heavy  shower,  which  wet  us 
all  to  the  skin,  and  much  damaged  our  ammunition  ; — about  sunset, 
when  the  shower  had  passed  over,  we  were  ordered  to  parade  and  dis- 
charge our  pieces.    We  attempted  to  fire  by  platoons  for  improvement, 


156 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


but  we  made  blundering  work  of  it  ;  it  was  more  like  a  running  fire, 
than  firing  by  divisions :  however,  we  got  our  muskets  as  empty  as  our 
stomachs,  and  with  half  the  trouble,  nor  was  it  half  the  trouble  to  have 
reloaded  them,  for  we  had  wherewithal  to  do  that,  but  not  so  with  our 
stomachs. 

"  Just  at  dusk,  I,  with  one  or  two  others  of  our  company,  went  off  to 
a  barn,  about  half  a  mile  distant,  with  intent  to  get  some  straw  to  lodge 
upon,  the  ground  and  leaves  being  drenched  with  water,  and  we  as  wet 
as  they  ;  it  was  quite  dark  in  the  barn,  and  while  I  was  fumbling  about 
the  floor,  some  one  called  to  me  from  the  top  of  the  mow,  inquiring 
where  I  was  from  ;  I  told  him.  He  asked  me  if  we  had  not  had  an 
engagement  there,  (having  heard  us  discharge  our  guns  ; )  I  told  him 
we  had,  and  a  severe  one  too  ;  he  asked  if  many  were  killed  ;  I  told 
him  that  I  saw  none  killed,  nor  any  very  badly  wounded.  I  then 
heard  several  others,  as  it  appeared,  speaking  on  the  mow.  Poor  fel- 
lows, they  had  better  have  been  at  their  posts,  than  skulking  in  a  barn 
on  account  of  a  little  wet,  for  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  that  the 
British  had  possession  of  their  mortal  parts  before  the  noon  of  next  day. 
I  could  not  find  any  straw,  but  found  some  wheat  in  the  sheaf,  standing 
by  the  side  of  the  floor;  I  took  a  sheaf  or  two  and  returned  as  fast  as  [ 
could  to  the  regiment.  When  I  arrived  the  men  were  all  paraded  to 
march  off  the  ground  ;  I  left  my  wheat,  seized  my  musket,  and  fell  into 
the  ranks.  We  were  strictly  enjoined  not  to  speak,  or  even  cough, 
while  on  the  march.  All  orders  were  given  from  officer  to  officer,  and 
communicated  to  the  men  in  whispers.  What  such  secrecy  could  mean 
we  could  not  divine.  We  marched  off  in  the  same  way  we  had  come 
on  the  Island,  forming  various  conjectures  among  ourselves  as  to  our 
destination.  Some  were  of  opinion  that  we  were  to  endeavor  to  get  on 
the  flank  or  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  Others,  that  we  were  going  up 
the  East  River,  to  attack  them  in  that  quarter  ;  but  none,  it  seems,  knew 
the  right  of  the  matter.  We  marched  on,  however,  until  we  arrived  at 
the  ferry,  where  we  immediately  embarked  on  board  the  batteaux,  and 
were  conveyed  safely  to  New-York,  where  we  were  landed  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  nothing  against  our  inclinations." 

821.  Aug.  23.  Before  day  the  enemy  began  to  land  a  body  of  troop3 
at  Utrecht.  The  morning  was  foggy.  They  were  discovered  to  be  still 
landing  after  sunrise.  By  about  2  o'clock  they  reached  Flatbush,  where 
they  were  met  by  a  body  of  our  people,  who  skirmished  with  them  to 
advantage.  After  that  we  kept  a  picket  guard  of  1500  between  Flat- 
bush  and  Brooklyn  in  the  woods  and  on  eminences,  who  were  continually 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


157 


skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  From  the  south  part  of  the  Bay  below 
Bushwick  m  a  line  drawn  from  (?)  straight  on  a  little  to  the  left  of  (j) 
down  to  the  creek  running  up  to  and  by  Brooklyn,  were  our  lines  and 
forts,  by  which  we  had  inclosed  a  tract  of  land  to  the  westward,  next 
to  N.  Y.  Our  lines  fronted  east.  On  the  left,  near  the  lowest  part  of 
the  above  described  bay,  was  Fort  Putnam  ;  near  the  middle,  Fort 
Greene  ;  and  towards  the  creek,  Fort  Box :  the  whole  were  composed 
of  forts,  redoubts,  breastworks,  &c.  On  Monday  night  about  5,000  of 
the  enemy,  with  50  or  60  light  horse,  filed  off  to  the  right  up  to  Bush- 
wick, crossing  the  flat  lands,  and  making  a  circuit  to  avoid  oar  advanced 
posts,  with  a  design  of  falling  upon  our  left.  We  had  made  the  roads 
leading  to  our  lines  from  the  different  adjacent  towns  quite  inconvenient 
or  unsafe.  A  heavy  detachment  marched  on  Tuesday  morning  before 
day  from  the  Narrows  to  attack  our  advanced  guards  in  that  quarter, 
and  on  coming  up  with,  began  to  engage  them.  On  that,  Lord  Stirling 
went  off  with  about  1200  to  support  them.  Ere  he  arrived,  the  enemy 
landed  a  body  of  3,000  in  the  small  bay  just  below  the  mouth  of  the 
creek,  which  obliged  him  to  form  his  men  in  two  lines  meeting  in  an 
obtuse  angle,  one  stretching  up  to  the  creek  between  the  regulars  and 
Brooklyn,  the  other  leading  away  from  that,  where  it  formed  the  angle 
towards  Flatbush,  and  was  joined  by  a  number  of  the  picket  guard. 
Lord  Stirling  began  to  engage  the  enemy  a  little  after  sunrise.  About 
two  hours  after  that,  between  9  and  10,  the  5,000  that  had  marched  all 
night  and  taken  a  circuit  to  Bushwick,  fell  upon  the  rear  of  our  north 
road  picket  guard  under  Gen.  Parsons,  which  occasioned  another  body 
of  our  men  under  Gen.  Sullivan  to  advance  that  way  with  a  view  of 
supporting  them.  A  great  part  of  the  north  road  picket  guard  fought 
their  way  down  to  the  creek.  The  Hessians  marched  over  Flatbush 
Plains,  and  formed  a  middle  line  in  such  a  direction  as  to  prevent  Gen. 
Sullivan's  getting  into  our  lines  in  the  usual  way  ;  and  his  men  were 
therefore  obliged  to  cross  the  creek  at  the  upper  part,  next  to  a  miil-dam. 
Lord  Stirling's  men,  after  having  fought  a  long  while,  forded  the  mouth 
of  the  creek  next  to  the  bay.  When  the  5,000  had  got  down  to  the 
right  of  our  lines,  next  to  the  creek,  they  made  an  attack,  but  were  re- 
pulsed. The  lines  between  Box  Fort  and  the  creek  were  not  completed 
the  day  before.  There  was  an  opening  adjoining  the  creek,  which  it 
was  thought  the  enemy  was  acquainted  with  ;  for  when  they  came  to 
it  and  found  the  entrance  closed  with  a  breastwork  and  other  defences, 
they  appeared  confounded.  However,  they  made  the  attack  with  one 
party,  and  then  with  another,  supposed  with  a  view  chiefly  of  carrying 


8 


158 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


off  the  dead  and  wounded  under  cover  of  the  fire.  Our  people  found 
afterwards  about  100  packs.  My  informer  rode  down  to  the  troops  in 
this  part  of  the  line  with  a  message  from  an  officer  more  to  the  left,  who 
saw  the  movement  of  the  enemy,  intimating  his  apprehension  that  they 
would  be  attacked,  and  they  were  in  immediate  readiness.  The  enemy 
proposing  to  cut  off  and  make  prisoners  as  many  of  our  men  as  possi- 
ble, pressed  hard  upon  them.  We  had  great  numbers  in  a  salt-marsh 
near  the  creek,  who  were  fired  upon  without  having  more  than  one 
killed.  The  enemy's  fire  did  but  little  execution,  the  balls  flying  gen- 
erally over  the  heads  of  our  people.  Several  of  our  men  having  no 
chance  of  escaping  otherwise,  betook  themselves  to  the  woods  and  after- 
wards came  in.  When  the  engagement  began  our  lines  were  thinly 
manned,  but  4  regiments  being  called  in  and  others  brought  over  from 
N.  Y.,  there  was  a  sufficient  number  before  an  attack  could  be  made. 
Our  artillerymen  behaved  heroically.  On  Wednesday,  in  a  heavy 
shower  of  rain,  the  enemy  attacked  our  lines  between  Forts  Greene  and 
Putnam.  Our  men  were  directed  (and  readily  complied)  to  lie  upon 
the  ground,  with  their  bodies  over  their  firelocks,  so  that  the  enemy  got 
repulsed.  We  went  over  with  boats  about  7  o'clock.  The  brigades 
were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  with  bag  and  baggage  to  march,  but 
knew  not  where  or  for  what ;  the  2d  did  not  know  where  the  1st  had 
gone  ;  nor  the  3d,  the  2d.  The  last  marched  off  at  the  firing  of  the 
3  o'clock  gun  on  Friday  morning.  The  night  was  remarkably  still, 
the  water  smooth  as  glass,  so  that  all  our  boats  went  over  safe,  though 
many  were  but  about  3  inches  out  of  water.  At  sunrise  a  great  fog 
came  up.  We  left  half  a  dozen  large  guns.  3  or  4  men  were  missing, 
who  came  off  in  a  batteau.  On  Friday  or  Saturday  the  British  vessels 
came  up  to  the  desired  place.  My  informant  was  on  horseback  in  the 
lines,  and  had  a  spy-glass,  and  saw  most  of  the  proceedings  Gen.  Par- 
sons was  surrounded  in  a  swamp  and  narrowly  escaped.  Grant  said  he 
was  slain  by  our  Gen.  Parsons. — Independent  (Boston)  Chronicle,  Sep. 
19, '76. 

New-York,  Sep.  5,  1776.  A  list  of  the  American  officers  prison- 
ers with  the  enemy,  who  sent  by  flag  for  their  baggage  and  cash.  Their 
friends  were  desired  to  send  next  door  to  Gen.  Putnam's  their  trunks, 
&c,  properly  directed,  and  leave  their  cash  at  the  General's,  that  they 
might  be  sent  by  the  first  flag. 

O*  The  names  included  in  brackets  are  inserted  by  the  editor. 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


159 


1st  Pennsylvania  Battalion. 
Cols.  Miles,  Piper ;  Capts.  Brown,  Peebles,  Crawl ;  Lts.  Scott, 
Gray,  Spear,  Drasbach,  Mcpherson,  Lee,  Brodhead,  Davis,  Wert,  Top- 
ham  ;  Drs.  John  and  Jos.  Davies.  Col.  Lutz,  Mr.  David  Duncan,  Mr. 
Young,  Major  Bird,  Capt.  Heiden.  [2d  Lts.  Jacquet  and  Carna- 
han,  missing.  2d  Lts.  Sloan  and  Brownlee.  Chas  Taylor,  3d  Lt., 
killed.] 

Col.  Kichline's  Regiment. 
Capt.  Graff;  Lts.  Lewis,  Middah,  Shoemaker. 

Col.  Lasher's  N.  Y.  Battalion. 
Adj.  Hoogland  ;  Lts.  Troup  and  Dunscomb  ;  Mr.  Van  Wagenen  and 
Gilliland,  volunteers.    [Maj.  Abeel,  killed  ] 

Col.  Smallwood's  Battalion. 
Capt.  Dan'l  Bowie,  wounded  ;  Lts.  Wm.  Steret,  Wm.  Ridgely, 
Hatch  Dent,  Walter  Muse,  Sam'l  Wright,  Jos.  Butler,  wounded  ;  Ed- 
ward Praul,  Edward  De  Courcey  ;  Ensigns  Jas.  Fernandes,  William 
Courts. 

Col.  Huntington's  Regiment. 
Lt.  Makepeace,  Capt.  Brewster ;  Ensigns  Lyman,  Chapman,  Hin- 
man,  Bradford  ;  Lt.  Orcutt,  Ensign  Higgins,  Capt.  Bissel ;  Lts.  Gillet 
and  Gay  ;  Adj.  Hopkins,  Dr.  Holmes,  Col.  Clark.    [Missing,  6  Capts, 
6  Lts.,  21  sergeants,  2  drummers,  126  rank  and  file.] 

Col.  Atlee's  Regiment. 

Col.  Atlee  ;  Capts.  Howell,  Nice,  Herbert,  Murray  ;  Lts.  Houston, 
Finney,  Henderson  ;  Dr.  Young,  volunteer. 

John  Toms,  of  Col.  Johnson's  Reg.,  Mr.  Callender,  Cadet  of  artille- 
ry. Mr.  Kearnes,  Del.  Bat.— Maj.  Wells,  of  Col.  Willys'  Reg.  En- 
sign Davies.    Capt.  Hurst. 

[Lt.  Col.  Parry,  killed.  Lt.  Moore,  killed.  Ensign  App,  missing. 
Killed  and  missing,  13  sergeants  and  235  privates.] 

American  account  of  Prisoners  in  the  3  Pennsylvania  Battalions. 
1st  Battalion. 

Col.  Sam'l  Miles,  Lt.  Col.  Jas  Piper,  Capt.  Richard  Brown;  1st 
Lts.  Wm.  Grey,  John  Spear,  John  Davis,  Geo.  Wert  ;  2d  Lts.  Jos. 
Friesback,  Wm.  Mcpherson,  Luke  Brodhead  ;  Drs.  John  and  Jos.  Da- 
vis. [2d  Lt.  Jos.  Jaquet,  missing.  Missing  of  Farmer's,  Brown's, 
Long's,  Allbright's,  Shade's,  Weitzell's,  9  sergeants,  4  drummers,  107 
privates.] 


160 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


2tZ  Bat.  of  Rifle  Regiment. 
Capt.  Wm.  Peebles;  1st  Lts.  Mat.  Scott,  Dan'l  Topham  ;  2d  Lt. 
David  Sloan  ;  3d  Lt-  Jos.  Brownlee.    [2d  Lt.  Jas  Carnagan,  missing. 
3d  Lt.  Chas  Taylor,  killed.    Missing  of  Murray's,  Peeble's,  Marshall's, 
Erwin's,  Grubb's,  Christ's,  6  sergeants,  1  drummer,  40  privates.] 

Bat.  of  Musketry. 
Col.  Sam'l  J  Atlee,  [Lt.  Col.  Caleb  Parry,  killed  ;]  Capts.  Francis 
Murray,  Thos.  Herbert,  John  Nice,  Jos.  Howell ;  Lt.  Walter  Finney  ; 
Ensigns  Wm.  Henderson,  Alex.  Huston,  Septimus  Davis,  Michael 
App,  missing.  Lt.  Jos.  Moore,  killed.  Missing  of  Anderson's,  Mur- 
ray's, Herbert's,  DehofF's,  Nice's,  Howell's,  McClelland,  late  Lloyd's,  1 
sergeant,  1  drummer,  75  privates. 

Howe's  return  of  jnisoners  taken  Aug.  27. 

3  Generals.— 3  Cols;  Penn.  Rifle  Reg.  1,  Penn.  Musketeers  1,  N. 
J.  Militia  1.— 4  Lt  Cols;  Penn.  Rifle  Reg.  1,  Penn.  Militia  2,  17th 
Cont.  Reg.  1.— 3  Majors;  Penn.  Militia  1,  17th  Cont.  Militia  1,  22d 
do.  1. — 18  Capts;  Penn.  Rifle  Reg.  2,  Penn.  Musketeers  4,  Penn.  Mili- 
tia 5, 17th  Cont.  Reg.  4,  Train  of  artillery  1,  Maryland  Provincials  2. — 
43  Lts;  Penn.  Rifle  Reg.  11,  Penn.  Musketeers  1,  Penn.  Militia  6, 
17th  Cont.  Reg.  6,  Del.  Bat.  2,  1st  Bat.  N.  Y.  Cont.  5,  11th  Bat.  Cont. 
1,  N.  J.  Militia  1,  1st  Bat.  Maryland  Independents  2,  L.  I.  Militia  2, 
Train  of  artillery  1,  Maryland  Provincials  5. — 11  Ensigns  ;  Penn  Mus- 
keteers 4,  17th  Cont.  Reg.  5,  Maryland  Provincials  2. — Staff;  Adjutant 
1,  Surgeons  3,  Volunteers  2,  Privates  1006.— Total  1097. 

N.  B.  9  officers  and  58  privates  of  the  above  wounded. 

822.  Mifflin  and  Grayson  rode  to  the  outposts  on  the  west  ex- 
tremity of  the  lines,  near  Red  Hook,  where  there  was  a  small  bat- 
tery which  had  suffered  severely  from  the  cannonade  of  the  Roebuck, 
Aug.  27.  While  there  the  fog,  which  lay  heavily  over  this  part  of  the 
harbor,  was  lifted  by  a  shift  of  wind,  and  the  British  fleet,  lying  at  its 
anchorage  off  Staten  I.,  and  within  the  Narrows,  could  be  plainly  seen. 
Boats  were  passing  to  and  from  the  Admiral's  ship.  They  returned  to 
Washington  and  urged  the  withdrawal  of  the  army.  Capt  Montresor, 
with  a  small  party,  first  crossed  the  crest  of  our  works  and  found  the 
camp  deserted.  The  advanced  parties  arrived  at  the  ferry,  just  as  the 
last  boat-load  of  Americans  had  passed  out  of  musket  range. 

Reed,  I.  229. 

823.  On  the  night  of  the  28th,  the  British  threw  up  a  redoubt  on  the 
heights  east  of  Ft.  Putnam,  from  which  they  opened  a  fire  on  the  fort ;  and 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


161 


on  the  29th  they  made  a  show  of  attacking  the  lines.  A  strong  column 
menaced  this  on  land  of  Geo.  Powers.  The  Americans  were  here  pre- 
pared to  receive  them,  and  orders  were  issued  to  reserve  their  fire  till 
they  could  see  the  white  of  their  eyes.  A  few  British  officers  reconnoi- 
tered  the  American  lines,  when  one  coming  too  near,  was  shot  by  Wm. 
Van  Cott  of  Bush  wick,  who  then  put  up  his  gun,  and  said  he  had  done  his 
part.  Col.  Philip  Johnson  of  Sidney,  N.  J.,  fell  in  the  battle  of  the  27th. 
He  was  of  Sullivan's  division,  who  says  of  him,  "  No  officer  could  be 
braver  in  this  action."  Gen.  Johnson. 

824.  N.  Y.,  Aug.  29.  Wednesday  afternoon  a  great  hail  and  rain 
storm  came  on,  attended  with  thunder  and  lightning  ;  at  which  time 
the  ministerial  army  attacked  our  lines  on  L.  I.,  at  three  different  places, 
with  their  utmost  force  ;  but  the  intrepidity  of  the  soldiers  of  the  United 
States  repulsed  them  ;  so  that  they  were  obliged  immediately  to  retreat 
precipitately.  The  men-of-war  at  the  same  time  made  an  attempt  to 
come  up  to  the  city,  as  they  did  also  the  day  before,  but  the  wind  at 
both  times  entirely  obstructed  them.  N.  E.  Chronicle. 

The  Retreat  of  the  American  Army. 

825.  PROCEEDINGS  OF  A  COUNCIL  OF  GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

At  a  Council  of  War  held  on  Long  Island,  August  29th,  1776 — 
Present,  His  Excellency  Gen.  Washington,  Maj.  Gens.  Putnam, 

Spencer  ;  Brig.  Gens.  Mifflin,  McDougal,  Parsons,  Scott,  Wadsworth, 

Fellows. 

It  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  Council,  whether,  under 
all  circumstances,  it  would  not  be  eligible  to  leave  Long  Island,  and  its 
dependencies,  and  to  remove  to  New- York.  Unanimously  agreed  in 
the  affirmative,  for  the  following  reasons  : 

1st.  Because  our  advanced  party  had  met  with  a  defeat,  and  the 
wood  was  lost,  where  we  expected  to  make  a  principal  stand. 

2d.  The  great  loss  sustained  in  the  death  or  captivity  of  several  valu- 
able officers,  and  their  battalions,  or  a  large  portion  of  them,  had  occa- 
sioned great  confusion  and  discouragement  among  the  troops. 

3d.  The  heavy  rain  which  fell  two  days  and  nights  without  inter- 
mission, had  injured  the  arms,  and  spoiled  a  great  part  of  the  ammuni- 
tion ;  and  the  soldiery,  being  without  cover,  and  obliged  to  lay  in  the 
lines,  were  worn  out,  and  it  was  to  be  feared  would  not  be  retained  in 
them  by  any  order. 

4th.  From  the  time  the  enemy  moved  from  Flatbush,  several  large 
ships  had  endeavored  to  get  up,  as  supposed  into  the  East  River,  to  cut 


162 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


off  our  communications,  (by  which  the  whole  army  would  have  been 
destroyed,)  but,  the  wind  being  N.E.,  could  not  effect  it. 

5th.  Upon  consulting  with  persons  of  knowledge  of  the  harbor,  they 
were  of  opinion  that  small  ships  might  come  between  Long  Island 
and  Governor's  Island,  where  there  are  no  obstructions,  and  which 
would  cut  off  the  communication  effectually  ;  and  who  were  also  of 
opinion  the  hulks  sunk  between  Governor's  Island  and  the  city  of  New- 
York  were  no  sufficient  security  for  obstructing  that  passage. 

6th.  Though  our  lines  were  fortified  by  some  strong  redoubts,  yet  a 
great  part  of  them  were  weak,  being  abattied  with  brush,  and  affording 
no  strong  cover, — so  that  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  they  might  be 
forced,  which  would  put  our  troops  in  confusion,  and,  having  no  retreat, 
they  must  have  been  cut  to  pieces  or  made  prisoners. 

7th.  The  divided  state  of  the  troops,  renders  our  defence  very  pre- 
carious, and  the  duty  of  defending  long  and  extensive  lines  in  so  many 
different  places,  without  proper  conveniences  and  cover,  so  very  fatigu- 
ing, that  the  troops  had  become  dispirited  by  their  incessant  duty  and 
watching. 

8th.  Because  the  enemy  had  sent  several  ships  of  war  into  the 
Sound,  to  a  place  called  Flushing  Bay  ;  and,  from  the  information  re- 
ceived that  a  part  of  their  troops  was  moving  across  Long  Island  that 
way,  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  they  meant  to  pass  over  land,  and 
form  an  encampment  above  Kingsbridge,  in  order  to  cut  off  and  prevent 
all  communication  between  our  army  and  the  country  beyond  them,  or 
to  get  in  our  rear. 

826.  "  By  ten  o'clock  the  troops  began  to  retire  from  the  lines,  so 
that  no  chasm  was  made  ;  but  as  one  regiment  left  their  station  or 
guard,  the  remaining  troops  moved  to  the  right  and  left,  and  filled  up  the 
vacancies,  while  Washington  took  his  station  at  the  ferry  and  super- 
intended the  embarkation.  As  the  dawn  approached,  those  of  us  who 
remained  in  the  trenches  became  very  anxious  for  our  safety,  at  which 
time  there  were  several  regiments  still  on  duty,  and  a  dense  fog  began 
to  rise,  and  seemed  to  settle  over  both  encampments  ;  so  dense  was  the 
atmosphere,  that  a  man  could  not  be  discerned  six  yards  off.  When 
the  sun  rose  we  had  orders  to  leave  the  lines,  but  before  we  reached 
the  ferry  the  regiment  was  ordered  back  again.  Col.  Chester  faced 
about  and  returned  to  the  lines,  where  the  regiment  tarried  till  the  sun 
had  risen,  but  the  fog  remained  as  dense  as  ever.  Finally  a  second  or- 
der came,  and  we  joyfully  bid  those  trenches  a  long  adieu.  When  we 
reached  Brooklyn  ferry  the  boats  had  not  yet  returned  from  their  last 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


163 


trip,  but  they  soon  appeared.  I  think  I  saw  Gen.  Washington  on  the 
ferry  stairs  when  I  stepped  into  one  of  the  last  boats.  I  left  my  horse 
at  the  ferry,  tied  to  a  post.  The  troops  having  all  safely  reached  N. 
Y.,  and  the  fog  continuing  thick  as  ever,  I  got  leave  to  return  with  a 
crew  of  volunteers  for  my  favorite  horse.  I  had  got  off  with  him  some 
distance  into  the  river  before  the  enemy  appeared  in  Brooklyn.  As 
soon  as  they  reached  the  ferry  we  were  saluted  merrily  from  their  mus- 
ketry, and  finally  by  their  field-pieces.  When  the  enemy  had  taken 
possession  of  the  heights  opposite  the  city  of  N.  Y.,  they  commenced 
firing  from  the  artillery,  and  the  fleet  pretty  soon  were  in  motion  to 
take  possession  of  those  waters." 

Col.  Tallmadge,  as  quoted  by  Sitnms. 
The  guns  of  Fort  Stirling  were  unspiked  and  turned  on  the  boats  of 
the  retreating  Americans.    Three  persons  who  left  the  Island  last  in  a 
batteau,  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  N.  E.  Chronicle. 

CoL  Hand's  Account  of  the  Betreat. 
827.  In  the  evening  of  the  23th  of  August,  1776,  with  several  other 
commanding  officers  of  corps,  I  received  orders  to  attend  Major  Gen. 
Mifflin :  when  assembled,  Gen.  Mifflin  informed  us  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  determination  of  a  board  of  General  officers,  the  evacua- 
tion of  Long  Island,  where  we  then  were,  was  to  be  attempted  that 
night ;  that  the  Commander-in-chief  had  honored  him  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  covering  party,  and  that  our  corps  were  to  be  employed  in 
that  service  ;  he  then  assigned  us  our  several  stations  which  we  were 
to  occupy  as  soon  as  it  was  dark,  and  pointed  out  Brooklyn  Church  as 
an  alarm  post,  to  which  the  whole  were  to  repair  and  unitedly  op- 
pose the  enemy  in  case  they  discovered  our  movements  and  made  an 
attack  in  consequence.  My  regiment  was  posted  in  a  redoubt  on  the 
left,  and  in  the  lines  on  the  right  of  the  great  road  below  Brooklyn 
Church ;  Capt.  Henry  Miller  commanded  in  the  redoubt.  Part  of  a  re- 
giment of  the  flying  camp  of  the  State  of  New- York,  were  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  night  posted  near  me  ;  they  showed  so  much  uneasiness  at 
their  station,  that  I  petitioned  General  Mifflin  to  suffer  them  to  march 
off,  lest  they  might  communicate  the  panic  with  which  they  were  seized 
to  my  people  ;  the  General  granted  my  request,  and  they  marched  off 
accordingly.  After  that  nothing  remarkable  happened  at  my  post  till 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  Alexander  Scammell,  since  Ad- 
jutant General,  who  that  day  acted  as  A.  D.  C.  to  the  Commander-in- 
chief,  came  from  the  left  inquiring  for  Gen'l  Mifflin,  who  happened  to 
be  with  me  at  the  time.    Scammell  told  him  that  the  boats  were  wait- 


164 


LETTERS  RELATING  TO  THE 


ing,  and  the  Commander-in-chief  anxious  for  the  arrival  of  the  troops 
at  the  ferry.  Gen'l  Mifflin  said  he  thought  he  must  be  mistaken,  that 
he  did  not  imagine  the  General  could  mean  the  troops  he  immediately 
commanded.  Scammell  replied  he  was  not  mistaken  ;  adding  that  he 
came  from  the  extreme  left,  and  had  ordered  all  the  troops  he  had  met 
to  march  ;  that  in  consequence  they  were  then  in  motion,  and  that  he 
would  go  on  to  give  the  same  orders.  Gen.  Mifflin  then  ordered  me 
to  call  in  my  advanced  pickets  and  sentinels,  to  collect  and  form  my  re- 
giment, and  to  march  as  soon  as  possible,  and  quitted  me.  Having 
marched  into  the  great  road  leading  to  the  church,  I  fell  in  with  the 
troops  returning  from  the  left  of  the  lines  ;  having  arrived  at  the  church 
I  halted  to  take  up  my  camp  equipage  which,  in  the  course  of  the  night, 
I  had  carried  there  by  a  small  party.  Gen'l  Mifflin  came  up  at  the  in- 
stant and  asked  the  reason  of  the  halt?  I  told  him,  and  he  seemed 
very  much  displeased,  and  exclaimed  :  "  Damn  your  pots  and  kettles,  I 
wish  the  devil  had  them  :  march  on  !"  I  obeyed,  but  had  not  gone  far 
before  I  perceived  the  front  had  halted,  and  hastening  to  inquire  the 
cause,  I  met  the  Commander-in-chief,  who  perceived  me,  and  said,  is  not 
that  Col.  Hand  ?  I  answered  in  the  affirmative.  His  Excellency  said 
lie  was  surprised  at  me  in  particular  ;  that  he  did  not  expect  I  would  have 
abandoned  my  post.  I  answered  that  I  had  not  abandoned  it — that  I 
had  marched  by  order  of  my  immediate  commanding  officer  ;  he  said  it 
was  impossible.  I  told  him  I  hoped  if  I  could  satisfy  him  I  had  the  or- 
ders of  Gen'l  Mifflin,  he  would  not  think  me  particularly  to  blame  ;  he 
said  he  undoubtedly  would  not.  Gen'l  Mifflin  then  coming  up,  and 
asking  what  the  matter  was,  his  Excellency  said,  "Good  God  !  Gen'l 
Mifflin,  I  am  afraid  you  have  ruined  us  by  so  unseasonably  withdraw- 
ing the  troops  from  the  lines."  Gen'l  Mifflin  replied  with  some  warmth, 
"  I  did  it  by  your  order."  His  Excellency  declared  it  could  not  be  ; 
Gen'l  Mifflin  swore  by  God,  **  I  did,"  and  asked  "  did  Scammell  act  as 
an  A.  D.  C.  for  the  day,  or  did  he  not  ?"  his  Excellency  acknowledged 
he  did.  "Then,"  said  Mifflin,  "I  had  orders  through  him."  The 
Gen'l  replied  it  was  a  dreadful  mistake,  and  informed  him  that  matters 
were  in  much  confusion  at  the  ferry,  and  unless  we  could  resume  out- 
posts before  the  enemy  discovered  we  had  left  them,  in  all  probability 
the  most  disagreeable  consequences  would  follow.  We  immediately 
returned,  and  had  the  good  fortune  to  recover  our  former  stations  and 
keep  them  for  some  hours  longer,  without  the  enemy  perceiving  what 
was  going  forward. 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


165 


828.         British  Account  of  the  Lines  and  Retreat. 

The  lines  could  not  be  taken  by  assault ;  but  by  approaches.  We 
had  no  fascines  to  fill  ditches,  no  axes  to  cut  abatis,  and  no  scaling 
ladders  to  assault  so  respectable  a  work.  The  lines  were  a  mile  and  a 
half  in  extent,  including  angles,  cannon-proof,  with  a  chain  of  five  re- 
doubts, or  rather  fortresses  with  ditches,  as  had  the  lines  that  formed 
the  intervals  ;  the  whole  surmounted  with  a  most  formidable  abatis, 
finished  in  every  part.  A  corporal  and  six  men  had  a  difficulty  in  get- 
ting through  the  abatis.  They  were  reconnoitering  before  daybreak,  and 
at  4  o'clock  discovered  the  lines  were  evacuated.  The  pickets  marched 
25  minutes  after.  General  Robertson  heard  of  the  retreat  at  7  o'clock, 
and  his  brigade  was  ordered  to  march  at  8,  but  while  marching  to  the 
ferry  he  was  ordered  toward  Hellgate  to  meet  Lee,  reported  to  be  land- 
ing there  with  an  army.  We  were  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy  ;  some 
were  killed  or  taken  prisoners  in  Brooklyn.  We  saw  three  or  four  boats 
afloat — some  boats  not  off.  The  debris  of  their  rear  guard  embarked 
about  8  or  9  o'clock.  The  Americans  fired  grape  from  their  32  pound- 
ers in  the  city  and  at  the  ship  yards,  850  yards  off.  Their  retreat  was 
secured  by  forts  on  Brooklyn  heights  and  floating  batteries  in  the  river. 
No  boat  could  be  stationed  so  as  to  see  the  passing  at  Brooklyn  ferry 
without  exposure  to  the  American  batteries. 

Parliamentary  Register,  Vol.  13. 


8* 


PART  III. 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 

829.  Thus  the  people  of  Kings  County,  after  a  few  had 
been  persuaded  or  forced  into  rebellion,  were  abandoned  by 
their  countrymen  to  all  its  penalties.  Accordingly  they  lost 
no  time  in  seeking  to  make  their  peace  with  the  King's  Com- 
missioners. 

To  the  RIGHT  HONORABLE  RICHARD,  LORD 
VISCOUNT  HOWE,  of  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland,  and 
his  EXCELLENCY  WM.  HOWE,  Esquire,  General 
of  His  Majesty's  forces  in  America,  the  King's  Commis- 
sioners for  restoring  peace  to  His  Majesty's  Colonies  in 
North  America. 

Your  Excellencies  by  your  Declaration  bearing  date 
July  14,  '76,  were  pleased  to  signify  that  "  the  King  is  de- 
sirous to  deliver  his  American  subjects  from  the  calamities 
of  war,  and  other  oppressions  which  they  now  undergo  ; 
and  to  restore  the  Colonies  to  his  protection  and  peace  j" 
and,  by  a  subsequent  Declaration,  dated  Sep.  19,  '76,  having 
also  been  pleased  to  express  your  desire  "  to  confer  with  His 
Majesty's  well-affected  subjects,  upon  the  means  of  restoring 
the  public  tranquillity,  and  establishing  a  permanent  union 
with  every  colony  as  part  of  the  British  Empire  ;"  we  there- 
fore, whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  freeholders  and 
inhabitants  of  Kings  County,  in  the  Province  of  New- York, 
reflecting  with  the  tenderest  emotions  of  gratitude  on  this  in- 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


167 


?5tance  of  His  Majesty's  paternal  goodness,  and  encouraged 
by  the  affectionate  manner  in  which  His  Majesty's  gracious 
purpose  hath  been  conveyed  to  us  by  your  Excellencies,  who 
have  thereby  evinced,  that  humanity  is  inseparable  from  that 
true  magnanimity  and  those  enlarged  sentiments  which  form 
the  most  shining  characters,  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your 
Excellencies, 

That  we  bear  true  allegiance  to  our  rightful  sovereign, 
Geo.  the  Third,  as  well  as  warm  affection  to  his  sacred  per- 
son, crown,  and  dignity ;  to  testify  which,  we,  and  each  of 
us,  have  voluntarily  taken  an  oath  [in  the  church  at  Flat- 
bush]  before  Wm.  Axtell,  Esq.,  one  of  His  Majesty's 
Council  for  this  Province,  in  the  following  words,  viz : 

I  do  sincerely  promise  and  swear,  that  I  will  be  faithful 
and  bear  true  allegiance  to  His  Majesty,  King  Geo.  the 
Third,  and  that  I  will  defend  his  crown  and  dignity,  against 
all  persons  whatsoever.    So  help  me  God. 

That  we  esteem  the  constitutional  supremacy  of  Great 
Britain  over  these  Colonies  and  other  depending  parts  of  His 
Majesty's  dominions,  as  essential  to  the  union,  security,  and 
welfare  of  the  whole  empire  ;  and  sincerely  lament  the  in- 
terruption of  that  harmony  which  formerly  subsisted  between 
the  parent  State  and  these  her  Colonies.  We,  therefore, 
humbly  pray  that  your  Excellencies  would  be  pleased 
to  restore  this  County  to   His  Majesty's  protection  and 


peace. 
Nov.. 


1776. 


Rem  Adriance, 
Rob't  Aitkins,  2, 
Petrus  Amberman, 
Harman  Ando  1 
John  Antonides, 
Peter  Antonides, 
Vincentius  Antonides, 
Wm.  Axtell, 
Lodowick  Bamper,  n.y. 


Evert  Banker,  jr. 
Wm.  Bar  re, 
Chas.  Barre, 
John  Beenem, 
Jas.  Bennet, 
Peter  Bennet, 
John  Bennet, 
Jan  Bennett, 
Ab'm  Bennet 


2. 


Cor's  Bennet, 
Wm.  Bennet,  2, 
Jere'h  Bennett, 
Wineant  Bennet, 
Jacob  Bennet, 
Lucas  Benberg, 
Moses  Beedle, 
Ded'rick  Bergen, 
Simon  Bergen,  2, 


168 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


Teunis  Bergen, 
Johannes  Bergen, 
Michael  Bergen, 
Thos.  Betts,  2, 
Cor's  Bise, 
John  Blake, 
Nich's  Blom, 
Gerret  Boerum, 
Ferdinand  Berou? 
Jacob  Boerum, 
Johannes  Boerum, 
John  Boerum, 
Ab'm  Bogart,  2, 
Cor's  Bogert, 
Gisbert  Bogert, 
John  Boyce, 
Dan'lJBoyel, 
Jaques  Borkeloo, 
Jan  Booryes, 
Martin  Brevoort, 
Harmanus  Burkuloo, 
Cor's  Buys, 
Dan'l  Buys, 
John  Buys, 
Thos.  Colange, 
George  Carpenter, 
Martinets  Carshow, 
Jacob  Cushow, 
Wm.  Chardavoyne, 
John  M'Cienachan, 
Joseph  Compton, 
Andries  Conselye, 
John  Conselje, 
Gabriel  Cook,  2, 
Jacobus  Cornell, 
Peter  Cornell,  2, 
Wm.  Cornell, 
Isaac  Cornell, 
John  Cornell, 
Whit'd  Cornell, 


Peter  Cortelyou, 
Jaques  Cortelyou, 
John  Covert,  3, 
Rich'd  Covert, 
Jeremiah  Covert, 
Jacob  Cosyn, 
Cor's  Cozine, 
John  Cowwenhoven, 
John  R.  Cowenhoven, 
Jas.  Cowenhoven, 
Nich.  Covenhoven, 
Rem  Couwenhoven, 
John  Crawley, 
Casper  Crisper, 
Harmon  Crispeer, 
Andrew  Crispeer, 
Johannes  Debevoise, 
John  Debevoise, 
Chas.  Debevoise,  2, 
Jacobus  Debevoice, 
Sam'l  Debevoise, 
Geo.  Debevois, 
Joost  Debevoise, 
Ab'm  Deforest, 
Johannes  Degraf, 
John  Demott, 
Is.  Denyse, 
Denyse  Denyse, 
Rutgers  Denyse, 
Fred'k  Depeyster, 
John  Devoe,2, 
John  Ditmars, 
Johannes  Ditmars,  3, 
John  J.  Ditmars, 
Gab'l  Duryee,  2, 
Ab'm  Duryee,  2, 
Charles  Duryee, 
Johannes  Duryea, 
Jacob  Duryea, 
Simon  Duryee, 


Charles  T.  Duryee, 
Cor's  Duryee, 
Peter  Duryee,  2, 
Christian  Duryee, 
Isaac  Eldert, 
Johannes  Eldert, 
Thos.  Elsworth, 
John  Emens, 
Jacobus  Emens,  2, 
Ab'm  Emans,  2, 
Thos.  Everit, 
John  Foorhest, 
Colen  Folkertson, 
Wm.  Furman, 
Robert  Galbreath, 
John  Gavel, 
Samuel  Garrison, 
Sam'l  Gerresen, 
Jacobus  Golden, 
Geo.  Gosling, 
John  Hallet, 
Rob't  Hargrave,  n.  y. 
John  Harris, 
Fred'k  Hatfield, 
Adrian  Hegeman,  2, 
John  Hegeman,  2, 
Peter  Hegeman,  2, 
Jacobus  Hegeman, 
Jas.  Hegeman, 
Evert  Hegeman, 
Petrus  Hegeman, 
Jos.  Hegeman, 
Ab'm  Hegeman, 
Rem  Hegeman, 
Dennis  Hegeman, 
Stephen  Herriman, 
Israel  Horsefield, 
Thos.  Horsefield, 
C.  Wm.  Howard, 
Jos.  Howard, 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


169 


Jacob  Hicks, 
Sam'l  Hubbard, 
Barnardus  Hubbard, 
Elias  Hubbard,  2, 
Jas.  Hubbard, 
John  Hulst, 
William  Johnson, 
John  Johnson, 
Hend'k  Johnson, 
Coert  Johnson, 
Fornant  Johnson, 
Barent  Johnson,  3, 
Dan'l  Jones, 
Jacob  Kershow, 
Tunis  Kershow, 
Wm.  Kowenhoven, 
Peter  Kowwenhoven, 
Gerret  Kowenhoven, 
Court  Lake, 
Derick  Lake, 
Dan'l  Lake, 
Leffert  LefTerts,  2, 
Hend'k  LefTerts, 
Jacob  LefTerts, 
Barent  LefTerts, 
Nich's  LefTerts, 
Jan  Lequier, 
Ab'm  Luquer, 
John  Lewis, 
RoelofTLott, 
Engelbert  Lott,  2, 
Johannes  Lott,  2, 
Petrus  Lott, 
Dennis  H.  Lott, 
Johannes  E.  Lott, 
John  Lott, 
Hend'k  Lott, 
Christopher  Lott, 
Simon  Lott, 
Jeromus  Lott, 


Jurrien  Lott, 
Maurice  Lott,  2, 
John  McClenachan, 
Gerret  Martense,  2, 
Adrian  Martense, 
Jores  Martense,  2, 
Leffert  Martense, 
Isaac  Martense, 
Leonard  May, 
Jacob  Meserole, 
John  Milber, 
Garret  Middagh, 
John  Middagh, 
David  Molenaor, 
Geo.  Moore, 
Ab'm  MurfT, 
John  Murphe, 
Petrus  Muerenbeldt, 
John  My  ford, 
Philip  Nagel, 
Peter  Neefus, 
Petrus  Neefus, 
John  Nostrand, 
Garret  Noorstrandt, 
John  Oake, 
Hend'k  Oake, 
Thos.  Pearsall, 
Wm.  Plowman, 
Theod's  Poihemus,  2, 
Ab'm  Poihemus, 
John  Poihemus, 
Jotham  Post, 
Thos.  Powels, 
Peter  Praa  Provoost, 
John  Rapalje,jr. 
Dan'l  Rapalje, 
Geo.  Rapalje, 
Tennis  Rapalje, 
Folkert  Rapalje, 
Jores  Rapalje, 


Johannes  Remsen, 
John  A.  Remsen, 
Ab'm  Remsen, 
Wm.  Remsen, 
Geo.  Remsen, 
Derick  Remsen,  2, 
Aris  Remsen, 
Jacob  Remsen,  2, 
Jeromus  Remsen, 
Rem  A.  Remsen, 
Joris  Remsen,  2, 
Rem  Remsen, 
Marten  Reyers, 
Jos.  Reyers, 
Edw'd  Reynolds, 
John  Casp.  Rubel,  v.d.m. 
Barnardus  Ryder, 
Lawrence  Ryder, 
Sam'l  Ryder, 
Stephen  Ryder, 
Wilhelmus  Ryder, 
Jacob  Ryerson, 
John  Ryerson,  2, 
Hend'k  Schenck, 
Stephen  Schenck, 
Nich's  Schenck, 
Martin  Schenck,  2, 
Stephen  Schenck, 
John  Schenck,  2, 
Jan  Schenck, 
Caleb  Scofield, 
Benj.  Seaman, 
Chas.  Semper, 
Isaac  Selover, 
Jacob  Sickels, 
Hend'k  Sickels,  , 
Dan'l  Simonsen, 
Fred'k  Simonson, 
Evert  Shareman, 
John  Skillman, 


170 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


Thos.  Skillman, 
John  Smith, 
Lewis  Sness, 
Isaac  Snedeker,  2, 
Ab'm  Snedeker, 
Johannes  Snedeker, 
Jacob  Snedeker, 
David  Sprong,  2, 
Stephen  Sprong, 
Gabriel  Sprong, 
Wm.  Sprong, 
Volkert  Sprong,  jr. 
Jacob  Stellenwerf, 
John  Stewart, 
Nich's  Stillwell,  jr.  2, 
Thos.  Stillwell,  2, 
Joost  Stilwell, 
Rutgert  Stillwell, 
Rich.  Stillwell,  2, 
Christ'r  Stillwell, 
Peter  Stoothoff, 
Garret  Stoothoff, 
Johannes  Stoothoff, 
Wilhelmus  Stoothoff,  3 
Albert  Stoothoff, 
And.  Stockholm, 
Garret  Stryker,  2, 
Sam'l  Strycker, 
John  Stryker, 
Michael  Stryker, 
Cornelius  Strycker, 
Jacobus  Suydam, 
Hend'k  Suydam,  4, 
John  Suydam,  3, 
Lambert  Suydam, 
Vernandt  Suydam, 
Hend'k  H.  Suydam, 
Andrew  Suydam, 
Evert  Suydam, 
Tuni«  Suydam, 


Fernandus  Suydam, 
Jacob  Suydam, 
Sam'l  Sullen, 
Albert  Terhune, 
Roeloff  Terhune, 
Chas.  Titus, 
David  Titus, 
Frans  Titus, 
Tetus  Titus, 
Teunis  Tiebout, 
Henry  Van  Beuren, 
Isaac  Van  Brunt, 
Albert  Van  Brunt, 
Adrian  Van  Brunt, 
Wm.  Van  Brunt, 
Rutgert  Van  Brunt,  4, 
Cor's  Van  Brunt, 
Cort  Van  Brunt, 
Jan  Van  Duyn, 
Cor's  Van  Duyn,  3, 
Jan  Van  Dyne, 
John  Vandyck, 
Wm.  VanDyck,  2, 
,  Hend'k  Van  Cleef, 
John  Van  Cleef,  2, 
David  Van  Cott,  2, 
Aert  Van  Pelt, 
Wynant  Van  Pelt, 
Johannes  Van  Pelt, 
Peter  Van  Pelt,  2, 
Rem  Van  Pelt,  2, 
Jacob  Van  Nuys, 
Wilhelmus  Van  Nuys, 
Joost  Van  Nuys, 
Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen 
U.  Van  Sinderen,  v.d.m. 
Cor's  Van  Sice, 
Garret  Van  Sise, 
Chas.  Van  Sice, 
John  Van  Siclen, 


Vernant  Van  Sickel, 
Fernandes  Van  Siclen, 
Johannes  Van  Sicklen, 
Jeremias  Vanderbilt, 
John  Vanderbilt,  2, 
Rem  Vanderbilt, 
Peter  Vanderbilt,  2, 
Wm.  Vandervoort, 
Paul  Vandervoort, 
Jan  Vandervoort, 
John  Vandervoort, 
Michael  Vandervoort,  2, 
Lamb't  Vandervoort, 
John  Vanderveer,  2, 
Hend'k  Vanderveer, 
Cor's  Vanderveer,  jr. 
Jacobus  Vanderveer, 
Gerret  Vandine, 
Mat.  Vandyke, 
Isaac  Vangelder, 
Jacobus  Vandeventer, 
Burger  Vandewater, 
Peter  Vandewater, 
Bernardus  Vandewater, 
John  Van  Varck, 
Cor's  Van  Zinze, 
Niclase  Vegte, 
Jos.  Vonck, 
Adrian  Voorhees, 
Ab'm  Voorhees, 
Lawrence  Voorhees, 
Peter  Voorhees, 
Stephen  Voorhees, 
Robert  Voorhees, 
John  Voorhees, 
Aert  Voorhees, 
Thos.  Whitlock, 
Jos.  White,  2, 
Garret  Williamson, 
Nich's  Williamson, 


SUBMISSION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


171 


Wm,  Williamson, 
Jeremiah  Williamson, 
John  Williamson, 
Peter  Williamson, 
David  Wortman, 


Barent  WyckofF, 
Nich's  WyckofF, 
Peter  WyckofF,  2, 
Hend'k  WykofF,  2, 
Johannes  WyckofF, 


Cor's  WykofF, 
Joost  WykofF, 
Gerret  WyckofF, 
John  Youngs, 
Sam'l  Zeller. 


To  His  Excellency  Wm.  Tryon,  Esq.,  Gov.  <%c. 

830.  We,  the  members  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  the  County 
Committee  and  the  Committees  of  the  difFerent  townships  elected 
for  and  by  the  inhabitants  of  Kings  Co.,  feel  the  highest  satisfaction 
in  having  it  in  our  power  to  dissolve  ourselves  without  danger  of  the 
County  being  desolated,  as  it  was  by  repeated  threats,  some  short 
time  ago.  We  do  hereby  accordingly  dissolve  ourselves,  rejecting 
and  disclaiming  all  power  of  Congress  and  Committees,  totally  re- 
fusing obedience  thereto,  and  revoking  all  proceedings  under  them 
whatsoever,  as  being  repugnant  to  the  laws  and  constitution  of  the 
British  Empire,  and  undutiful  to  our  sovereign,  and  ruinous  to  the 
welfare  and  prosperity  of  this  County.  We  beg  leave  to  assure 
your  Excellency  we  shall  be  exceeding  happy  in  obeying  the  legal 
authority  of  government,  whenever  your  Excellency  shall  be  pleased 
to  call  us  forth,  being  from  long  experience  well  assured  of  your 
Excellency's  mild  and  upright  administration. 

Signed,  3d  and  4th  Dec,  1776. 


Philip  Nagel, 
Wm.  Johnson, 
Evert  Suydam, 
Rich'd  Stillwell, 
Johannes  E.  Lott, 
Rem  Cowvenhoven, 
Nich's  Cowvenhoven, 
Joost  Duryea, 
Jerem'h  Vanderbilt, 
Stephen  Voorhees, 
Adrian  Voorhies, 
Petrus  Van  Pelt, 
LefFert  LefFerts, 
*  Nich's  Grudendyck, 


John  Suydam, 
Wilh's  StoothofF, 
Casper  Crisper, 
Isaac  Cortelyou, 
Petrus  Lott, 
Denyse  Denyse, 
Engelbert  Lott, 
J.  Hubbard, 
Garret  WykofF, 
Rich'd  Stillwell,  jr. 
Rutgert  Vanbrunt, 
Adrian  Hegeman, 
*Ab'm  Van  Ranst, 


Ab'm  Laquere, 
Derick  Remsen, 
Ab'm  Voorhies, 
Jsaac  Denyce, 
Johannes  Bergen, 
John  Vanderbelt, 
Theodo's  Polhemus, 
Wm.  Vanbrunt, 
Jacobus  Vandeventer, 
John  Titus, 
Cor's  WykofF, 
Johannes  Debevoice, 
*Wilhelmus  Van  Nuys, 
*Jeremias  Remsen, 


*Albert  Vanbrunt, 
[Those  to  whose  names  a  star  is  prefixed  were  either  sick,  or  out  of 
the  County.] 


PART  IV. 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 

831.  His  Majesty  has  observed  with  great  satisfaction  the  effu- 
sions of  loyalty  and  affection  which  break  forth  in  the  addresses  of 
his  faithful  subjects  upon  their  deliverance  from  the  tyranny  and  op- 
pression of  the  rebel  Committees  :  and  the  proof  given  by  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Kings  Co.  of  their  zeal  for  the  success  of  His  Majesty's 
measures,  by  so  generously  contributing  toward  the  expense  of  rais- 
ing Col.  Fanning's  battalion,  cannot  fail  of  recommending  them  to 
His  Majesty's  favor.  Lord  Geo.  Germaine. 

832.  Jan.  27,  '77,  Gaine.  The  corps  of  militia  in  Kings  Co., 
from  motives  of  loyalty  to  their  sovereign,  and  zeal  to  the  consti- 
tution, have  voluntarily  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the  Hon.  Wm. 
Axtell,  £310.  8.  as  an  addition  to  the  noble  provision  made  to  the 
battalion  now  raising  under  the  command  of  Col.  Fanning,  to  be  ap- 
pointed according  to  the  direction  of  His  Excellency  Gov.  Tryon. 

Gen.  Edmond  Fanning  died  in  London,  1818,  at  an  advanced  age. 
The  world  contained  no  better  man  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  as  friend, 
landlord  and  master.  He  lost  a  large  property  by  raising  a  regiment 
in  the  Revolution.  He  was  appointed  Lt.  Gov.  of  Nova  Scotia,  next 
he  was  Gov.  of  Prince  Edward's  Island  19  years.  He  resigned  from 
ill  health,  and  to  attend  to  his  private  affairs,  to  the  grief  of  all.  He  left  a 
widow  and  3  accomplished  daughters.  Gent.  Mag. 

833.  The  wounded  prisoners  taken,  Aug.  27,  were  put  in  the 
churches  of  Flatbush  andN.  Utrecht,  but  being  neglected  and  unat- 
tended, were  wallowing  in  their  own  filth,  and  breathed  an  infected 
air.  Ten  days  after,  Dr.  Richard  Bailey,  from  the  hospital  on  Staten 
Island,  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  sick,  aided  by  Dr.  Silas 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF  KINGS  COUNTY. 


173 


Holmes,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  a  prisoner,  Holmes  represents  Bailey 
as  humane,  and  dressing  the  wounded  daily.  He  got  a  sack-bed, 
sheet  and  blanket  for  each  prisoner,  distributed  the  patients  into  the' 
adjacent  barns,  without  consent  of  the  owners,  and  allowed  them  to 
go  to  the  neighboring  houses  to  buy  milk.  One  tried  to  escape^ 
when  Campbell,  Capt.  of  the  guard,  opposed  their  going,  but  gave 
way  to  the  Doctor's  request.  When  the  wounded  were-sent  to  N.  Y., 
Dr.  B.  accompanied  them.  N.  Y.  Indep.  Gaz.,  Dec.  20,  '83. 

834.  [In  Jan.  '77,  the  American  prisoners  in  N.  Y.  were  paroled 
and  billeted  on  the  inhabitants  of  Kings  Co.  Congress  agreeing  to 
pay  $2  per  week  for  their  board.  Col.  Graydon  thus  describes  his 
sojourn  there. — Ed.] 

Flatbush  was  the  place  assigned  for  the  officers  of  our  regiment, 
Col.  Shoe's  and  Col.  Magaw's.  Here  also  were  stationed  Cols. 
Miles,  Atlee,  Rawlins,  and  Maj.  Williams.  The  indulgence  of  ar- 
ranging ourselves  agreeably  to  our  respective  circles  of  acquaintance 
was  granted  us  by  Mr.  Loring.  Lt.  Forrest  and  myself  were  billeted 
on  Mr.  Jacob  Suydam,  whose  house  was  pretty  large,  consisting  of 
buildings  which  appeared  to  have  been  erected  at  different  times.  The 
front  and  better  part  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Theophylact  Bache  and 
family,  from  N.  Y.  Though  we  were  in  general  civilly  enough 
received,  it  cannot  be  supposed  we  were  very  welcome  to  our  Low 
Dutch  hosts,  whose  habits  were  extremely  parsimonious,  and  whose 
winter  provision  was  barely  sufficient  for  themselves.  Had  they 
been  sure  of  receiving  the  $2  per  week,  it  might  have  reconciled 
them,  Congress  or  ourselves  being  looked  on  as  paymasters.  They 
were,  however,  a  people  who  seemed  thoroughly  disposed  to  submit 
to  any  power  that  might  be  imposed  on  them :  and  whatever 
might  have  been  their  propensities  at  an  earlier  stage  of  the  contest, 
they  were  now  the  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects  of  His  Majesty  King 
George  III.  Their  houses  and  beds  we  found  clean ;  but  their  living 
extremely  poor.  A  sorry  wash  made  up  of  a  sprinkling  of  bohea, 
and  the  darkest  sugar  on  the  verge  of  fluidity,  with  half-baked 
bread  (fuel  being  among  the  scarcest  articles  at  Flatbush)  and  a 
little  stale  butter,  constituted  our  breakfast.  At  our  first  coming,  a 
small  piece  of  pickled  beef  was  occasionally  boiled  for  dinner,  but 
to  the  beef  which  was  soon  consumed,  there  succeeded  clippers  or 
clams  ;  and  our  unvaried  supper  was  supon  or  mush,  sometimes  with 


174 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


skimmed  milk,  but  more  generally  with  buttermilk,  blended  with 
molasses,  which  was  kept  for  weeks  in  a  churn,  as  swill  is  saved  for 
hogs.  I  found  it,  however,  after  a  little  use,  very  eatable  ;  and  sup- 
per soon  became  my  best  meal.  The  table  company  consisted  of  the 
master  of  the  house,  Mr.  Jacob  Suydam,  an  old  bachelor;  a  young 
man,  a  shoemaker,  of  the  name  of  Rem  Hegeman,  married  to  Jacob's 
niece,  who  with  a  mewling  infant  in  her  arms,  never  failed  to  ap- 
pear. A  black  boy  too,  was  generally  in  the  room  ;  not  as  a  waiter, 
but  a  sort  of  enfant  de  maison,  who  walked  about  or  took  post  in  the 
chimney  corner  with  his  hat  on,  and  occasionally  joined  in  the  con- 
versation. Rem  Hegeman,  and  Yordchy  his  wife,  gave  themselves 
no  airs  ;  nor  was  harmony  with  uncle  Jacob  ever  interrupted  ;  but 
once,  when  soured  a  little,  he  made  a  show  of  knocking  down  Mr. 
Forrest,  with  a  pair  of  yarn  stockings  he  had  just  drawn  from  his 
legs,  as  he  sat  in  the  chimney  corner  one  evening  preparing  for  bed ; 
but  moments  of  peevishness  were  allowable  to  our  host,  for  we  had 
been  consuming  his  provisions,  while  he  had  never  seen  a  penny  of 
our  money.  The  religion  of  the  Dutch,  like  their  other  habits,  was 
unostentatious  and  plain  ;  and  a  simple,  silent  grace  before  meat 
prevailed  at  the  table  of  Jacob  Suydam.  When  we  were  all  seated, 
he  suddenly  clapped  his  hands  together,  threw  his  head  on  one  side, 
closed  his  eyes,  and  remained  mute  and  motionless  for  about  a  mi- 
nute. His  niece  and  nephew  followed  his  example,  but  with  such 
an  eager  solicitude  that  the  copied  attitude  should  be  prompt  and 
simultaneous,  as  to  give  an  air  of  absurdity  to  what  might  otherwise 
have  been  very  decent.  Although  little  of  the  vernacula'r  accent 
remained  on  the  tongues  of  these  people,  they  had  some  peculiarities 
in  their  phraseology.  Instead  of  asking  you  to  sit  down  to  table, 
they  invited  you  to  sit  by. 

The  morning  after  our  arrival  at  Flatbush,  we  encountered  Mr. 
Bache  in  the  piazza,  which  extended  the  whole  length  of  the  build- 
ing on  the  South  side.  His  being  an  Englishman,  and  a  determined 
loyalist,  did  not  prevent  him  from  accosting  us  very  civilly.  He 
knew  that  opposition  to  the  mother  country  was  not  confined  to  a 
low  and  desperate  faction,  as  it  was  the  fashion  among  loyalists  to 
represent  us.  His  brother  was  a  Whig,  and  had  married  Dr.  Frank- 
lin's daughter.  In  addition  to  frequent  invitations  to  tea,  and  to  par- 
take of  his  Maderia,  "  to  help  us  along  a  little,"  as  he  expressed  it, 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


175 


in  allusion  to  the  meagre  fare  of  Jacob's  table,  I  was  indebted  to  him 
for  the  offer  of  his  purse,  though  he  did  not  know  me.  I  declined 
it,  as  I  had  no  need  of  it.  I  availed  myself  of  his  services  in  exe- 
cuting small  commissions  for  me  when  he  went  to  N.  Y.,  which 
was  almost  daily. 

There  were  several  New-Yorkers  with  their  families  residing  in 
Flatbush.  Of  these  Col.  Axtell  was  apparently  the  first  in  wealth  and 
importance.  He  was  neatly  seated  at  a  country  house,  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  village  [since  Dr.  Robinson's]  and  I  had  once  the  honor 
of  supping  with  him,  together  with  8  or  10  of  my  fellow-prisoners. 
In  this  family  was  a  Mr.  Frederick  Depeyster,  a  young  man.  better 
known  by  the  fondling  appellation  of  "  Feady,"  and  two  young  ladies, 
all  relations  of  Col.  Axtell.  One  of  these,  a  Miss  Shipton,  had  so 
much  toleration  for  our  cause,  as  to  marry  a  Col.  Giles,  of  our  army. 
Next  in  consequence  to  Col.  Axtell,  might  be  placed  Mayor  Matthews, 
of  N.  Y.,  who  divided  his  time  between  the  village  and  city,  in  each 
of  which  he  had  a  house.  There  were  also  here  Miles  Sherbrook, 
and  Mr.  Jauncey.  Major  Moncrieffe,  of  the  British  army,  a  relation 
of  Mr.  Bache,  also  spent  much  time  here,  where  he  had  a  daughter, 
[the  beautiful  Mrs.  Coglan.] 

"835.  The  principal  person  in  a  Low  Dutch  village  appears  to  be 
the  Domine  or  minister ;  and  Flatbush,  at  this  time,  revered  her  do- 
mine,  Rubel,  a  rotund,  jolly-looking  man,  a  follower  of  Luther,  and 
a  Tory,  on  whom  were  billeted  Cols.  Atlee  and  Miles.  At  Flatlands, 
there  was  also  a  domine,  Van  Zinder,  a  disciple  of  Calvin,  and  a 
Whig.  He  was  in  person  and  principle  a  perfect  contrast  to  Mr. 
Rubel, being  a  lean  and  shrivelled  little  man,  with  a  triangular  sharp- 
pointed  hat,  and  silver  locks  which  "  streamed  like  a  meteor  flowing 
to  the  troubled  air,"  as  he  whisked  along  with  great  velocity  in  his 
chaise  through  Flatbush.  He  was  distinguished  by  a  species  of 
pulpit  eloquence,  which  might  be  truly  said  to  "  bring  matters  home 
to  men's  business  and  bosoms."  Mr.  Bache  assured  me  that  in  once 
descanting  on  the  wily  arts  of  the  devil,  he  likened  him  to  my  land- 
lord, sneaking  and  skulking  about  to  get  a  shot  at  a  flock  of  snipes, 
in  shooting  of  which,  it  seems,  Jacob  was  eminently  skilful. 

[Van  Sinderin  and  Rubel  were  both  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church.    An  account  of  them  may  be  found  in  Strong's  Flatbush.  The 


176 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


following  inscriptions  are  taken  from  their  tomb-stones,  which  I  have 
translated  from  Dutch  into  English. 

Hier  leyt  Jiet  Liechaem  van  den  TVel-Eerwaerde  Heer  Ulpianus 
Van  Sinderen  in  zyn  leeven  Predicant  in  Kings  County,  Ovcrleeden 
den  23  July,  1796,  oudt  Zynde  88  Jaeren^  7  Maanden  en  12  daegen. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  the  very  worthy  Mr.  Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen, 
in  his  lifetime  preacher  in  Kings  County,  died  July  23,  1796,  aged  88 
years,  7  months  and  12  days. 

Tot  gedachtenis  van  Jok's  Casp's  Rubel  V.  D.  M. — Geboren  den  6de 
March,  O.  S.,  1719.— Overle den  den  19de  Maii  1797. 

To  the  memory  of  John  Caspar  Rubel,  minister  of  God's  Word, 
born  March  6th,  1719,  O.  S.,  died  May,  19th,  1797.— Erf.] 

Some  fellows,  one  morning,  on  the  road  to  N.  Y.  market  with 
fish,  w^ere  stopped  by  Capt.  Lenox,  Lt.  Wright,  of  Maryland,  and 
Lt.  Stewart,  of  Delaware,  who  wished  to  buy  some  :  but  were  told 
by  the  fishmongers,  that  they  would  not  sell  to  rebels.  This  pro- 
duced reproachful  language  on  both  sides,  when  the  officers  laying 
hold  of  the  fish,  began  to  bandy  them  about  the  jaws  of  the  raga- 
muffins w7ho  had  insulted  them.  A  complaint  wTas  immediately 
lodged  with  Ge^.  Robertson  :  the  accused  were  escorted  by  a  guard 
to  N.  Y.,  and  on  the  statement  of  the  fishmongers,  being  found  in 
aggression  were  required  to  make  acknowledgments  ;  which  refusing 
to  do,  they  were  forthwith  consigned  to  the  custody  of  the  Provost 
Marshal.  With  him  they  remained  2  or  3  weeks,  but  at  length 
were  released  without  the  apology.  Cunningham  had  used  them 
well,  partly  owing,  perhaps,  to  Gen.  Robertson's  instructions,  and 
partly  to  Mr.  Lenox's  being  well  supplied  with  money. 

There  were  five  of  the  Misses  Van  Homes  (avowed  Whigs, 
notwitstanding  their  civility  to  British  officers),  all  handsome  and 
well  bred,  who  with  their  mother,  a  widow  lady,  had  removed  from 
New  Jersey  to  Flatbush.  Mr.  Clarkson,  a  connection  of  theirs,  at 
whose  house  they  staid  in  Brunswick,  had  a  house  also  at  Flatbush. 
Being  a  Whig,  he  had  left  it  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  it 
had  been  a  good  deal  injured  by  the  Germans.  He  was  now  per- 
mitted to  return  to  it ;  and  Mrs.  Van  Home  and  her  daughters  came 
along  with  him.  Perhaps  the  wTay  to  his  return  was  smoothed  by  the 
ladies'  influence  with  the  British  officers.  Miss  Susan  Van  Home 
used  to  walk  the  streets  of  Flatbush  with  a  British  Baronet,  Sir 
John  Wrottesley,  whose  demeanor  was  gentlemanly  and  worthy  of 
his  rank. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


177 


Col.  Magaw,*  to  beguile  the  tedious  hours  of  captivity  had 
taken  to  him  a  wife  (Martha,  daughter  of  Col.  R.  Van  Brunt)  as 
had  one  or  two  others.  There  was  a  fatiguing  sameness  in  our  oc- 
cupations, for  which  we  had  no  cure.  During  a  residence  of  5 
months  on  L.  I.,  I  was  but  once  beyond  our  limits — and  that  was  to 
dine  at  Jamaica.  [See  Queen's  Co.  p.  155],  At  length  my  mother 
came  from  Penn.  and  boldly  waited  on  Sir  Wm.  Howe.  On  request- 
ing to  speak  with  him  she  was  shown  into  a  parlor,  where  taking  a 
seat,  she  was  meditating  upon  the  manner  of  addressing  him,  when 
Sir  William  entered  the  room.  Rising  she  said,  "  Sir  Wm.  Howe, 
I  presume !"  He  answered  by  a  bow.  She  then  begged  permission 
for  her  son  to  go  home  on  parole.  "  And  then  to  take  up  arms 
against  us  again,  I  suppose,"  said  Sir  William.  "  By  no  means,  sir, 
I  solicit  his  release  on  parole ;  that  will  restrain  him  till  exchanged, 
and  if  I  have  any  influence  over  him,  he  shall  never  take  up  arms 
again."  The  General  seemed  to  hesitate,  but  gave  no  answer.  On 
the  renewal  of  her  suit,  he  appeared  by  his  manner  (for  he  was  spar- 
ing of  words)  to  assent.  She  asked,  "  Have  I  your  excellency's 
permission  for  my  son  to  go  home  ?  Bowing,  he  answered,  "  Yes." 
"  May  Col.  Miles  and  Maj.  West,"  added  she,  "  be  permitted  to  go 
also?"  "  Now  madam,"  observed  the  General,  "  you  are  making  two 
requests  instead  of  one."  The  boon  was,  however,  extended  to 
Miles  and  West,  who  left  Flatbush,  July,  '77,  escorted  to  the  end  of 
the  village  by  their  less  lucky  fellow  prisoners.  The  boarding  had 
first  to  be  paid,  however,  and  old  Jacob's  heart  was  gladdened  by 
the  sight  of  a  sum  of  money  he  had  despaired  of.  The  prisoners  re- 
paired to  the  office  of  Mr.  Loring,  and  signed  a  parole,  and  then  em- 
barked in  a  sloop  for  Elizabethtown  Point. — Graydon's  Memoirs. 

*  Col.  Robt.  Magaw,  an  eminent  Attorney,  died  at  Carlisle,  Penn., 
1795. 

836.  Stephen  Rapalje  is  taken  at  New  Rochelle  with  a  large 
quantity  of  cash,  locked  in  saddle-bags,  brought  from  L.  I.,  and  pa- 
roled.   Jan.  23,  '77.  Jour.  784. 

.837.  Rem  Cowenhoven  offers  $15  reward  for  Jaff,  a  runaway 
negro  a  pretty  forward  chap,  had  on  a  claret-colored  coat  and  breeches, 
scarlet  jacket,  supposed  to  be  at  Brunswick  or  Amboy. 

Gaine,  Feb.  10, '77. 


178 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


838.  Gaine,  March  3,  '77.  A  few  days  ago,  S.  Bergen  was 
accidentally  shot  in  the  leg  by  a  musket  he  was  buying  of  a  sailor, 
and  died  from  loss  of  blood. 

839.  May  17,  '77.  200  wagons  have  lately  been  sent  from 
L.  I.  to  the  enemy's  head-quarters  at  Brunswick,  to  assist  in  remov- 
ing their  baggage  thence. 

840.  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  at  N.  Lots,  has  recovered  his  health,  but 
will  need  money.  July  27,  '77. 

[Allen  was  billeted  at  Daniel  Rapalje's.  On  hearing  the  news  of  the 
battle  of  Bennington,  he  mounted  on  the  roof  of  Howard's  Inn,  and 
gave  three  cheers,  which  so  exasperated  the  British  officers  present,  that 
he  was  thrown  in  the  Provost.    See  his  Life. — Ed.] 

841.  £3  reward.  Taken  by  force  from  Isaac  Selover,  Flat- 
lands,  a  negro  woman,  Bet.  Gaine,  Sep.  22,  '77. 

842.  Died  at  New  Lots,  Oct.  23,  Elbert  Hegeman,  Esq.,  in  the 
91st  year  of  his  age.  Few  men  ever  possessed  a  more  humane  and 
compassionate  heart.  He  was  no  less  remarkable  for  his  piety  than 
his  benevolence,  and  exhibited  to  us  a  remarkable  instance  of  his  at- 
tention to  the  divine  laws  of  his  Creator,  having  read  the  Bible 
through  no  less  than  365  times.  His  remains  were  interred  at  New 
Lots  on  Sunday.  Gaine,  Nov.  8,  '77, 

843.  "  On  Sunday  morning,  April  5,  1778,  to  the  great  satisfac- 
tion of  the  inhabitants,  the  Church  at  Brooklyn  was  opened,  and 
divine  service,  according  to  the  ritual  of  the  Church  of  England, 
performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jas.  Sayre,  who  preached  an  excellent 
sermon  and  baptized  a  child,  which  was  the  first  infant  admitted  to 
that  sacrament  within  said  church,  where  there  will  be  prayers  and 
a  sermon  next  Sunday  and  on  Good  Friday,  also  on  the  three  Sun- 
days following  ;  every  fourth  Sunday  afterwards  the  church  will  be 
occupied  by  the  Dutch  congregation." 

844.  N.  J.  Gaz.,  June  17,  '78.  Wm.  Marrener,  a  volunteer, 
with  1 1  men,  and  Lt.  John  Schenck,  of  our  militia,  went  last  Sat. 
evening  from  Middletown  Point,  and  returned  by  6  next  morning, 
(having  travelled  by  land  and  water  above  50  miles)  with  Major 
Moncrieffe,  T.  Bache,  with  4  slaves,  and  brought  them  to  Princeton, 
to  be  delivered  to  the  Governor.    The  worshipful  Mayor  and  Tor- 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


179 


mentor  General  Matthews,  who  has  inflicted  on  our  prisoners  un- 
heard of  cruelties,  and  was  the  principal  object  of  the  expedition, 
was  unfortunately  in  the  city. 

845.  "  I  chose,"  says  Marrener,  to  Gen.  Johnson,  "  a  fine  after- 
noon about  midsummer,  and  prepared  to  visit  New  Utrecht  about  1 0 
in  the  evening.  This  season  was  chosen,  because  there  was  then 
no  fishing  on  "the  beach  at  night.  I  arrived  at  the  beach  near  the 
house  of  my  old  landlord,  Mr.  Vanpelt,  unmolested.  24  of  us  land- 
ed, and  two  were  left  with  the  boat  to  keep  her  from  the  beach. 
We  marched  up  the  road,  and  I  stopped  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Vanpelt, 
and  rapped  at  his  bedroom  window,  and  told  him  I  was  there,  was 
well,  and  intended  to  pay  Col.  Axtell  a  visit  that  night.  With  his 
good  wishes  I  started  along  the  road  to  Flatbush.  We  arrived  at 
the  church  unobserved,  and  divided  into  4  parties,  determined  to 
take  Col.  Axtell,  Mayor  Matthews,  and  Messrs.  Sherbrook  and  Bache. 
Each  party  was  provided  with  a  heavy  post  for  breaking  in  the  doors. 
It  was  agreed,  that  when  the  party  detached  for  Col.  Axtell  struck 
his  door,  each  party  should  do  the  same  at  the  other  houses. 
This  was  done  to  admiration,  and  every  door  yielded  at  the  first 
stroke.  Col.  Axtell  and  Matthews  were  in  N.  Y.,  but  Sherbrook 
and  Bache  were  taken.  Sherbrook  had  often  insulted  me,  and  I 
took  his  lodgings  for  my  share  of  the  capture.  He  resided  at 
Geo.  Martense's,  and  one  stroke  at  the  door  alarmed  him,  and  he 
fled  to  the  garret.  I  entered  his  room,  found  his  bed  warm,  and 
ordered  aunt  Jannetie  to  get  a  candle.  We  ran  to  the  garret,  and 
found  our  prize  shivering  behind  the  large  Dutch  chimney,  with  his 
breeches  in  hand.  We  took  him  to  the  church,  our  place  of  ren- 
dezvous, where  he  put  on  his  clothes,  and  when  our  men  mustered, 
we  marched  uninterruptedly  along  the  road  to  our  boat,  where  we 
arrived  about  break  of  day,  and  returned  in  safety  to  N.  Brunswick. 
Domine  Rubell  rang  the  bell  before  we  were  half  a  mil?  from  the 
church.  Dr.  Von  Samper,  who  lived  at  Mr.  Martense's,  sung  out, 
1  Goedt  luck  !  Goedt  luck  !  not  me,  not  me.'  " 

L.  L  Star,  June,  1827. 

Marrener,  a  shoemaker,  of  N.  Y.,  in  revenge  for  some  ill-treat- 
ment from  Matthews  (he  had  been  confined  and  cruelly  used  by  him) 
crossed  from  the  Jersey  shore  to  Flatbush,  with  20  militiamen  in 
two  flat-bottom  boats.    At  his  landing  he  left  his  boats  under  guard 


ISO 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


of  5  men,  while  he  visited  the  interior  ;  but  these  5  hearing  a 
firing,  which  was  kept  up  on  Marrener  by  the  Fiatbush  guards 
while  he  was  taking  his  prisoners,  concluded  he  was  defeated  and 
taken,  so  without  ceremony,  they  took  one  of  the  boats  and  made 
their  escape.  The  other  boat  as  Marrener  reached  the  shore,  was 
just  going  adrift.  The  party  was  much  crowded  in  her,  but  it  was 
fortunately  very  calm,  otherwise  the  boat  could  not  have  weathered 
it.  Marreners  party  staid  near  two  hours  at  Fiatbush,  for  they  were 
there  some  time  before  the  alarm  was  taken,  and  there  was  after- 
wards time  to  dispatch  an  express  to  Brooklyn,  and  the  reinforce- 
ment which  came,  was  pretty  close  on  them,  as  it  could  be  seen  on 
shore,  when  the  party  had  left  about  15  minutes.  M.  had  wished 
to  liberate  Capt.  John  Flahaven,  of  N.  J. ,  billeted  on  Jacob  Suydam, 
but  as  he  had  changed  his  quarters,  Lt.  Forrest  was  carried  off  in 
his  stead.  Mr.  Bache  was  overwhelmed  with  his  disaster,  on  ac- 
count of  the  consternation  in  which  his  wife  and  daughter  had  been 
thrown  by  the  attack  on  his  house,  and  his  being  forcibly  borne  away 
in  the  dead  of  night.  He  interceded  with  Lt.  Forrest  to  use  his  good 
offices  with  Gov.  Livingston.  Major  Moncrieffe,  like  an  old  soldier, 
submitted  with  more  equal  mind,  reminding  Bache.  however,  that  he 
had  often  told  him  they  were  not  safe  at  Fiatbush.  Matthews  was 
on  the  top  of  the  house  at  the  time  of  the  search.  The  men  were 
taken  from  the  landing  to  Princeton  in  wagons,  Bache  and  Mon- 
crieffe were  shortly  sent  home  as  prisoners  on  parole.  A  general 
exchange  soon  after  took  place.  Graydon. 

Eiv.  June  17, '78.  Last  Saturday  night  about  11  o'clock,  a  small 
party  of  Rebels  from  Jersey,  landed  at  N.  Utrecht,  and  proceeded  im- 
mediately to  Fiatbush,  where  several  gentlemen  of  N.  Y.  have  country 
houses.  They  were  joined  and  led  on  by  a  rebel  officer  named  Forrest, 
on  parole  there,  (who  deserted  with  them,)  and  assisted  by  many  of  the 
rebel  officers  then  on  parole  and  residing  at  Fiatbush,  (who,  it  appears, 
had  intelligence  of  their  coming.)  They  divided  themselves  into  3  parties 
and  surrounded  the  houses  of  Major  MoncriefFe,  David  Matthews,  Esq., 
Mayor  of  X.  Y.  city,  and  Theophylact  Bache.  They  found  easy  access 
to  the  houses  of  the  Major  and  Mr.  Bache,  and  surprised  them  both  be- 
fore they  had  the  least  suspicion  of  danger.  They  were  civil  to  the 
Major,  but  at  Mr.  Bache's  behaved  in  their  usual  savage  style,  giving 
Mrs.  B.  several  blows  on  her  entreating  them  not  to  use  her  husband  ill, 
wounding  one  of  the  female  servants  with  their  bayonets,  plundered  the 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


181 


house  of  what  plate  they  could  find,  and  dragged  away  Mr.  Bache  with- 
out giving  him  time  to  put  on  his  clothes.  They  were  not  so  success- 
ful at  the  Mayor's,  who  seemed  to  have  been  their  principal  object. 
He  had  taken  care  that  his  doors  and  windows  should  be  well  secured 
and  never  opened  at  night  on  any  pretence,  until  it  was  well  known 
within,  who  were  without.  The  first  tap  at  the  door  (which  was  in  a 
seeming  friendly  manner)  alarmed  the  Mayor,  who  took  such  a  post, 
that  though  they  should  force  in  below,  it  would  require  a  considerable 
time  to  reach  him.  Pie  at  the  same  time  ordered  one  of  his  blacks  to 
an  upper  window  to  alarm  the  inhabitants.  The  loud  cry  of  murder 
was  the  first  intelligence  the  Rebels  had  of  their  being  suspected,  upon 
which  they  began  a  most  furious  attack  on  the  door  with  the  butts  of 
their  muskets,  and  threatened  destruction  to  the  whole  family  unless  they 
were  let  in.  One  or  two  of  their  muskets  being  broke  and  no  impres- 
sion made  on  the  door,  and  the  alarm  being  still  kept  up  by  the  servant, 
they  attacked  the  windows  which  afforded  room  for  entrance,  when  the 
cry  of  the  servant  awakened  a  negro  of  Chief  Justice  Horsemanden,  who 
ran  out  and  fired  a  musket,  which  so  terrified  these  shabby  cordwainers, 
that  they  fled  with  the  greatest  precipitation,  carrying  off  the  Mayor  and 
Mr.  Bache.  Messrs.  Miles  Sherbrooke  and  Aug.  Van  Cortlandt  were 
also  to  have  been  taken  off,  had  they  not  been  alarmed  by  the  Ethiopi- 
an's fire.  Immediately  on  the  intelligence  being  received  at  Brooklyn, 
where  Col.  Cockburn  commanded,  Capt.  Drew  with  a  detachment  from 
the  35th  Regiment,  marched  to  Flatbush,  but  the  wonted  speed  of  the 
Rebels  saved  them  to  fight  another  day. 

846.  It  was  deemed  impossible  for  Marrener  to  march  to  Flat- 
bush  unobserved  by  the  people.  Therefore  those  who  knew  or  had 
seen  the  party,  were  guilty  of  treason,  for  net  giving  the  alarm. 
Col.  Van  Brunt,  his  brother  Adrian,  Rem  Van  Pelt  and  his  brother 
Aert,  all  of  N.  Utrecht,  were  taken  up  on  suspicion  and  confined 
separately  in  the  Provost.  Col.  Van  Brunt,  when  arrested,  had  the 
precaution  to  provide  himself  with  a  purse  of  gold,  and  inquired  of 
the  sergeant  of  the  Provost  if  he  could  furnish  him  good  provisions 
for  breakfast,  dinner,  and  supper.  The  sergeant  said  yes,  but  Cun- 
ningham must  not  know  it.  He  received  a  guinea,  and  sent  the 
fare  by  his  wife.  The  Col.  gave  her  also  a  guinea  to  provide  food 
for  his  fellow  prisoners  and  inquire  how  they  fared.  The  woman 
returned  and  said  they  were  fearful  and  sad.  The  Col.  begged  of 
the  sergeant,  an  opportunity  of  seeing  his  neighbors  privately.  They 

9 


182 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


were  brought  in  about  midnight,  and  agreed  to  deny  all  knowledge 
of  the  affair.  At  last  they  were  examined  separately,  and  as  they  all 
agreed  in  their  story,  and  nothing  appeared  against  them,  were  dis- 
charged. The  purse  of  gold  held  out,  the  sergeant  was  liberally 
rewarded  for  his  kindness,  and  his  wife  received  an  additional  guinea 
for  her  importunities  with  her  husband  in  favor  of  the  prisoners. 

L.  I.  Star,  June  27,  1827. 
Letter  from  L.  I.,  dated  June  17.  Riv.,  June  20,  '78. 
"  Yesterday,  three  of  Capt.  Kinlock's  troop,  with  a  guide,  set  out 
from  the  Ferry,  about  11  o'clock,  and  going  round  the  county,  to  prevent 
an  alarm,  arrived  at  old  Van  Pelt's,  when  without  seeming  to  have  any 
thing  to  do  there,  one  of  the  light  horse  stopped  and  asked  for  a  drink 
of  water,  and  desired  Van  Pelt  to  walk  out  with  him  as  his  prisoner. 
The  party  then  proceeded  without  suspicion  to  young  Van  Pelt's,  and 
took  him  to  his  father's,  and  having  allowed  them  to  do  what  was  re- 
quisite, went  to  J.  Covenhoven's,  Lieut,  of  militia.  (The  officer  to  pre- 
vent suspicion  ordered  his  party  a  contrary  road,  and  went  to  the  house 
and  made  the  Lieut,  prisoner).  Had  he  known  the  party  was  coming, 
he  would  have  retired  to  his  nest  in  the  woods,  as  he  has  often  done 
before,  when  suspicious  that  his  presence  might  be  needed  in  N.  Y. 
The  officer  then  gave  his  men  a  little  refreshment,  and  having  comforted 
the  different  families  as  well  as  he  could,  came  with  them  to  N.  Y., 
when  the  3  were  ordered  to  the  Provost,  and  on  the  road  to  it,  he  de- 
sired them  to  have  whatever  they  wanted,  and  stopped  with  them  while 
they  refreshed  themselves." 

847.  Wanted  immediately  50  horses,  15  hands  high,  fit  for  the 
dragoon  service,  by  Jacob  WykofT,  Ass.  Com.  of  Horse,  Brooklyn 
Ferry.  Riv.,  June  18,  '78. 

848.  Riv.  July  8,  '78.  Peter  Witherspoon  notifies  the  public 
that  he  intends  to  teaeh  a  small  number  of  Greek  and  Latin  scholars, 
not  exceeding  6  or  8,  at  Bushwick.  Education  and  board  on  rea- 
sonable terms.    Due  attention  paid  to  education  and  morals. 

849.  £4  above  the  usual  bounty,  a  new  suit  of  clothes,  and 
every  other  necessary  to  complete  the  gentleman  soldier,  given  to  all 
willing  to  serve  His  Majesty  (during  the  present  wanton  and  unnat- 
ural rebellion)  in  the  Roman  Catholic  volunteers,  Major  John  Lynch, 
encamped  at  Yellow  Hook.  Present  pay  and  good  quarters.  One 
guinea  to  bringers.  God  save  the  King !        Gaine.,  July  13,  '78. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


183 


850.  $6  Reward.  Stolen  from  Lt.  Cuppaidge,  26th  Reg.,  at  the 
camp,  Flatlands,  by  a  person  clothed  in  artillery  uniform,  a  horse  with 
hogged  mane,  &c.  Riv.,  July  18,  '78. 

851.  Riv.,  July  30,  '78.  $5  Reward.  Ran  away  from  Jacobus 
Cornell,  New  Lots,  a  negro  man  Hector,  who  speaks  English  and 
Dutch. 

Capt  Stevens,  of  the  Penn.  Loyalists  at  Yellow  Hook,  offers  2 
guineas  reward  for  a  mare  strayed  from  pasture. 

Riv.,  Aug.  8,  '78. 

852.  Capt.  Douglass  offers  a  reward  for  a  dark  bay  gelding, 
branded  S,  on  each  shoulder,  which  strayed  from  the  encampment  of 
1st  bat.  light  infantry,  between  Bedford  and  Bushwick. 

Riv.,  Aug.  15,  '78. 

Jacob  Mowat  offers  3  guineas  reward  for  a  silver  watch  stolen 
from  the  encampment  of  44th  Reg.,  at  Bedford. 

Riv.,  Aug.  19,  '78. 

853.  Riv.,  Aug.  22,  '78.  A.  J3ainbridge,  at  Flatbush,  surgeon 
of  New  Jersey  volunteers,  offers  2  guineas  reward  for  a  runaway 
mulatto  negro  boy,  Priam,  hair  light  colored  and  of  the  woolly  kind. 

854.  2  Guineas  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed  from  Bedford  camp, 
Aug.  15,  a  mare,  D.  37th,  marked  on  her  buttock. 

Riv.,  Sep.  23,  '78. 

855.  Capt.  Benson,  at  the  Ferry,  offers  2  guineas  reward  for  a 
bay  colt,  lost  from  the  camp  near  Brooklyn.      Gaine,  Oct.  5,  '78. 

856.  20  Guineas  Reward.  Stolen  out  of  an  officer's  tent,  46th 
Reg.,  in  camp,  near  Bedford,  a  large  portmanteau,  containing  clothes, 
maps,  sketches,  paints,  mathematical  instruments,  spy-glass,  compass, 
&c.  Riv.,  Oct.  7,  '78. 

857.  Half  Guinea  Reward.  Lost  from  the  encampment  of  37th 
Reg.,  at  Bedford,  5  weeks  ago,  a  little  bitch,  Lt.  Teasdale  Cockellt 
engraved  on  her  collar.  It  is  supposed  the  departure  of  the  Regi- 
ment for  the  New  Englaud  expedition  was  the  cause  of  her  not 
being  delivered  up,  since  which  time  they  have  never  been  at  the  old 
encampment.  She  was  seen  in  possession  of  a  soldier  of  Col.  Mor- 
ris's corps.  R^.,  Oct.  7,  '78. 


184 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


858.  Col.  Axtell  offers  a  reward  of  £10  for  the  discovery  of  the 
person  that  took  down  on  Wednesday  evening  last,  from  the  church 
door,  at  Flatbush,  (fixed  there  by  his  direction,  for  the  inspection  of 
the  public,)  the  Manifesto  and  Proclamation,  issued  by  their 
Excellencies  His  Majesty's  Commissioners.       Riv.,  Oct.  10,  '78. 

Wm.  Axtell  died  in  England,  1795,  aged  75,  respected  for  his  hos- 
pitality and  good  humor.  He  was  born  in  Jamaica,  W.  I.,  but  resided 
many  years  in  N.  Y.,  where  he  married,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  King's  council  long  before  the  war.  Having  been  appointed  Col. 
of  the  Provincial  forces  by  Howe,  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  put 
on  half  pay,  and  received  considerable  sums  from  Parliament  as  a 
loyalist.  He  was  descended  from  Dan'l  Axtell,  a  Col.  in  Cromwell's 
army,  who  was  beheaded  at  the  restoration,  when  his  family  removed 
to  Jamaica.  Gent.  Mag. 

859.  Lt.  Digby,  37th  regiment,  offers  2  guineas  reward  for  a 
brown  mare,  stolen  Aug.  25,  '78,  from  Bedford  heights.  Gaine. 

860.  5  Guineas  Reward.  Lost  16th  Oct., '78,  coming  from  Pau- 
lus  Hook  to  Brooklyn  Ferry,  a  Portmanteau  Trunk,  marked  Lt. 
Stewart,  42d  regiment,  now  in  camp  near  Bedford. 

861.  Sergeant  Jennings,  camp  of  37th,  at  Bedford,  offers  a 
guinea  reward  for  a  stray  chestnut  mare.  Riv.,  Oct.  21,  '78. 

862.  Lt.  Col.  Turnbull  of  N.  Y.  volunteers,  at  Brooklyn  Ferry, 
offers  2  guineas  reward  for  a  stray  horse.       Gaine,  Oct.  26,  '78. 

863.  £5  Reward.  Ran  away  to  city  of  N.Y.  from  Widow  Hende- 
rickie  Lott,  Flatlands,  a  black  negro  man,  &c,  took  3  coats,  8  shirts, 
4  trowsers,  2  pair  breeches,  stockings,  &c,  wears  in  his  shoes 
a  large  pair  of  square  silver  buckles.  Riv.,  Nov.  4,  '78. 

864.  Strayed  from  Bedford  Camp,  a  brown  horse,  bob  tail,  hog 
mane,  squirrel  head,  (late  the  property  of  Capt.  Galbreath,  of  De- 
lancey's  brigade).  A  Guinea  reward,  if  left  with  Mr.  Titus,  Brook- 
lyn Ferry.  Riv.,  Nov.  4,  '78. 

865.  One  Guinea  Reward.  Lost  between  Brooklyn  Ferry  and 
N.  Utrecht,  a  silver  mounted  double-barrelled  Pistol,  belonging  to 
an  officer  of  16th  light  dragoons,  at  N.  Utrecht. 

Riv.,  Nsv.  14,  '78. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


185 


866.  Two\Guineas  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed,  a  fortnight  ago, 
from  the  encampment  of  17th  light  infantry,  near  Bedford,  a  bay 
mare,  &c.  Riv.,  Nov.  4,  '78. 

867.  Trenton,  Nov.  1 1 ,  '78.  The  3d  inst.  Marrener,  with  7  men  of 
Lord  Stirling's  division,  landed  at  N.  Utrecht  and  brought  off  Simon 
and  Jacques  Cortelyou,  two  famous  tories  in  the  enemies'  lines,  and 
specie  and  other  property,  to  the  amount  of  $5000.  The  prisoners 
are  on  parole  at  Brunswick,  and  are  to  be  exchanged  for  two  citizens 
of  Jersey,  in  captivity  with  the  enemy. 

Capt.  Marrener  took  Simon  Cortelyou,  of  N.  Utrecht,  to  N.  Bruns 
wick,  as  a  return  for  his  uncivil  conduct  to  the  American  prisoners. 
He  took  his  silver  tankard  and  several  other  articles.    Gen.  Johnson. 

On  Tuesday  night,  Nov.  3d,  between  11  and  12,  Simon  and  Jaques 
Cortelyou  were  carried  off  by  a  party  of  rebels,  from  the  Narrows. 
The  house  of  the  former  was  robbed  of  cash  to  the  amount  of  £200,  be- 
sides a  large  quantity  of  linen,  blankets,  &c.  The  marauders  behaved 
with  their  usual  insolence  and  inhumanity,  and  frequently  threatened 
the  terrified  children  of  the  family,  then  in  bed,  with  immediate  death. 

Gaine,  Nov.  8,  '78. 

[Marrener  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  kept  tavern  in  N.  Y. 
and  at  Harlem.  He  died,  1814,  aged  85,  by  falling  out  of  his  wagon. 
--Ed.] 

868.  Martin  Schenck,  Wallebocht,  advertises  for  a  schoolmaster 
to  teach  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  to  about  18  scholars. 

Gaine,  Dec.  7,  '78. 

869.  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  some  other  rebel  officers,  who  have 
been  on  their  parole  at  Flatbush,  for  several  months  past,  effected 
their  escape  last  week.  Gaine,  June  14,  '79. 

870.  $8  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed,  on  Sunday  night,  Aug.  1, 
'79,  out  of  the  pasture  of  Garret  Stryker,  at  Flatbush,  a  black  geld- 
ing, property  of  Capt.  Chapman,  King's  American  regiment. 

Riv.,  Aug.  7,  '79. 

871.  Rev.  Mr.  Foley  has  opened  an  academy  at  Aram,  in  Bush- 
wick,  for  the  reception  of  young  gentlemen,  to  be  instructed  in 
Greek,  Latin,  and  the  English  tongue,  grammatically.  Would  be  will- 
in  g  to  accommodate  a  few  young  gentlemen  with  board.  For  terms 
apply  to  the  printer.  Gaine,  Aug.  30,  '79. 


186 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


872.  $5  Reward  and  Charges.  Lost  or  strayed  from  Lawrence 
Van  Buskirk,  at  Gowanus,  the  night  of  18th  inst.,  a  sorrel  mare,  pro- 


873.  A  cricket  match  for  50  guineas,  between  Brooklyn  and 
Greenwich  clubs,  to  be  played  this  day  at  Loosley  and  Elms,  10 


874.  Riv.,  Oct.  2,  '79.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Sayre.  lived  in  the  large 
white  house  of  Isaac  Cortelyou,  on  the  bay  side  of  N.  Utrecht, 
which  was  burned,  Nov.  15.  Mr.  S.  published  a  translation  from 
German,  "  God's  thoughts  of  peace  in  war."  At  the  peace  he  went 
to  Nova  Scotia.  He  died  at  Fairfield,  1798,  aged  53.  His  brother 
John  died  in  N.  Brunswick.    (See  842.) 

875.  One  Guinea  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed  from  Gowanus,  a 
strawberry  colored  horse,  marked  L.  I.,  property  of  the  battalion  of 
light  infantry,  near  Bedford.  Riv.,  Oct.  9,  '79. 

876.  $50  Reward  offered  by  Gov.  Tryon.  George  and  Peter 
Duryea,  with  their  wives,  Sarah  and  Catherine,  being  one  family, 
made  oath  before  Richard  Alsop,  Esq.,  of  Newtown,  that  at  9  in  the 
evening  of  Oct.  15,  4  or  5  men  disguised,  meanly  habited,  with  faces 
blackened,  armed  with  a  gun,  bayonet  fixed,  a  pistol,  a  number  of 
clubs  and  a  cutlass,  forced  in  their  house  at  Bushwick,  west  side  of 
the  creek,  (some  of  the  party  being  at  the  same  time  posted  outside 
at  the  doors  and  windows.)  and  assaulted  them.  George  received  4 
dangerous  blows  on  his  head,  which  settled  him  on  the  floor.  Not 
quite  deprived  of  reason,  he  crawled  under  a  bed,  and  laid  still  to 
avoid  being  murdered.  Peter  received  6  wounds  about  his  head 
and  one  on  his  arm,  but  at  length  escaped  and  alarmed  his  neighbors. 
Meantime  the  villains  broke  open  2  desks,  and  a  cupboard,  and  took 
£220  in  good  cash,  (all  gold  and  silver)  a  pair  of  silver  knee-buckles, 
marked  P.  D.,  silver  spoons,  I.  D.,  and  a  silver  bowl.  Previous  to  the 
robbery,  Catherine  was  seized  by  the  throat,  thrown  on  the  floor  and 
almost  choked  to  death.  Riv.,  Oct.  23,  '79. 

877.  $20.  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed  from  the  farm  of  John 
Hulst,  at  Gowanus,  4  miles  from  the  Ferry,  10  fat  cattle. 

Riv.,  Nov.  20,  '79. 

878.  Riv.,  Dec.  29,  '79.  Woodcutters  will  meet  with  the  best  en 
couragement  by  applying  to  Galbreath  &  Atkins,  Smiths,  Brooklyn 


perty  of  Capt.  Bessonet. 


Rh.,  Sep.  25,  '79. 


A.  M. 


Gaine,  Sep.  27,  '79. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


187 


Ferry,  Mr.  Polhemus,  New  Lotts,  Mr.  Betts,  Innkeeper,  Jamaica, 
Mr.  Van  Water,  Innkeeper,  New  Utrecht,  at  which  places  persons 
will  attend  to  show  them  the  wood  to  be  cut,  which  is  within  a  short 
distance  of  Brooklyn  Ferry,  on  the  Narrows.  Accommodations  and 
other  necessaries  provided  contiguous  to  the  place  of  cutting. 

879.  A  large  square  fort  is  built  on  Brooklyn  heights ;  the  season 
is  late ;  not  a  blade  of  grass.  The  people  within  the  lines  begin  to 
repair  and  rebuild  houses,  and  manure  and  inclose  fields. — Gov. 
Robertson.  May  18,  '80. 

880.  Riv.,  June  14,  '80.  Citizens  of  Brooklyn  thank  the  76th 
regiment,  commanded  by  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  afterwards  by 
Capt  Bruce,  for  their  constant  good  order  and  decorum,  during 
their  residence  in  Brooklyn. 

881.  Gaine,  July  2,  '80.  Pro  bono  publico.  Thursday  next, 
bull-baiting  at  Brooklyn  Ferry.  The  bull  is  remarkably  strong  and 
active,  the  best  dogs  in  the  country  expected,  and  they  that  afford 
the  best  diversion  will  be  rewarded  with  silver  collars. 

882.  Gaine,  July  17,  '80.  Address  to  Gov.  Robertson  on  his 
accession,  in  behalf  and  at  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  Kings 
county,  signed  by  Wm.  Axtell,  Rutgert  Van  Brunt,  Richard  Still- 
well,  Jeromus  Lott,  Ab.  Liquere,  M.  Cowenhoven,  Rem  Cowenho- 
ven,  Maj.  Jeromus  V.  D.  Belt,  Adrian  Vanbrunt,  Leffert  Lefferts, 
Johannes  Bergen. 

They  concur  with  His  Excellency  in  ascribing  to  the  ambitious 
and  self-interested  views  of  a  few  who  conceal  from  the  multitude 
the  offers  of  Great  Britain,  that  our  countrymen,  once  so  happy,  are 
brought  to  feel  the  miseries  held  up  to  their  fears  to  seduce  them 
from  the  felicity  they  once  enjoyed,  subjected  as  they  now  are  to  a 
usurpation  that  has  annihilated  their  commerce,  shed  their  blood  and 
wasted  their  property,  and  is  now  dragging  the  laborious  husbandman 
from  the  plough  to  the  field  of  battle  to  support  their  unauthorized 
combinations  with  designing  popish  and  arbitrary  powers.  "  We 
cannot  sufficiently  applaud  your  Excellency  for  affording  them  the 
means  of  extricating  themselves,  and  assure  you  of  our  loyal  endea- 
vors for  His  Majesty's  service."  Riv.,  July  12. 

883.  3  Guineas  Reward.  Stolen  or  strayed  from  the  encamp- 
ment of  the  43d  regiment  near  Brooklyn,  a  bay  horse,  &c. 

Riv.,  July  19,  '80. 


188 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


884.  PRO  BONO  PUBLICO. 

Saturday  next  being  the  birth-day  of  His  Royal  Highness  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  Loosely,  agreeably  to  an  honest  old  custom,  wishes 
to  see  his  royal  and  constitutional  friends — dinner  at  3.  The  even- 
ing to  conclude  with  fireworks  and  illuminations.  A  good  band  of 
music. 

IT  REBELS,  approach  no  nearer  than  the  heights  of  Brooklyn. 

Riv.,  Aug.  9,  '80. 

885.  $8  and  no  questions.  Stolen  or  strayed  from  Cornelius 
Duryea,  Brooklyn,  a  chestnut  brown  gelding,  branded  N.  on  near 
thigh.  Aug.  16,  '80. 

886.  Gaine,  Aug.  28,  '80.  $8  Reward  and  charges.  Stolen  or 
strayed  out  of  the  pasture  of  Adrian  Hegeman,  Flatbush,  Aug  22,  a 
black  mare,  branded  O.  on  her  buttock. 

887.  Gaine,  Aug.  28,  '80.  40  Shillings  Reward.  Ran  away 
from  Dennis  Dennis,  at  the  Narrows,  a  negro  boy,  Lawrence  j  has 
been  on  board  the  Grand  Duke. 

888.  2  Guineas  Reward  by  John  Cornell,  Brooklyn  Ferry.  Ran 
away,  a  negro,  Jack,  branded  on  back  part  of  the  ear,  arm,  and  but- 
tock. Gaine,  Sep.  18,  '80. 

889.  Stolen  or  strayed,  Friday  night,  from  the  pasture  of  Thos. 
Horsefield,  at  Brooklyn  Ferry,  two  horses.       Riv.,  Oct.  18,  '80. 

890.  Riv.,  Sep.  20,  '80.  Anniversary  of  the  Coronation  of  our 
ever  good  and  gracious  King,  will  be  celebrated  at  Loosely's,  22d 
inst.  It  is  expected  that  no  rebel  will  approach  nearer  than  Flat- 
bush  wood. 

891.  By  permission — 3  days1  sport  on  Ascot  Heath,  formerly 

Flatlands  Plain. 

Monday.  I.  The  Noblemen's  and  Gentlemen's  purse  of  £60, 
free  for  any  horse  except  Mr.  Wortman's,  and  Mr.  Allen's  Dulci- 
more,  who  won  the  plate  at  Beaver  Pond  last  season.  2.  A  saddle, 
bridle,  and  whip,  worth  £15,  by  ponies  not  exceeding  I3|  hands. 

Tuesday.  1 .  Ladies'  subscription  purse  of  j£50.  2.  To  be  run 
for  by  women,  a  Holland  smock  and  chintz  gown,  full  trimmed — to 
run  the  best  2  in  3,  quarter-mile  heats ;  the  first  to  have  the  smock 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


189 


and  gown,  of  4  guineas  value  ;  the  second  a  guinea,  the  third  a  half 
guinea. 

Wednesday.  County  subscription  purse  £50.  No  person  will 
erect  a  booth  or  sell  liquor  without  first  subscribing  2  guineas  to- 
ward the  expense  of  the  race.  Gentlemen  fond  of  fox  hunting  will 
meet  at  Loosely's  King's  Head  tavern  at  daybreak,  during  the  races. 

God  Save  the  King  played  every  hour.       Riv.,  Nov.  4,  '80. 

892.  Gaine,  Jan.  20,  '81.  Wednesday  last  four  armed  men 
found  concealed  in  a  barn  at  Bushwick.  were  brought  to  N.  Y.  un- 
der a  strong  guard  of  militia. 

893.  Pro  bono  publico.  By  permission,  4  days'  sport  on  Easter 
Monday,  on  Ascot  Heath.    Purses  of  £50,  £50,  £100,  £100. 

Gaine,  Feb.  12,  '81. 

894.  Riv.,  Ap.  14,  '81.  Last  Sunday  evening  a  sloop  from  N. 
Y.  was  captured  off  Coney  Island  by  two  rebel  whale-boats  from 
Brunswick,  commanded  by  Dickie  and  Marrener.  After  plundering 
the  vessel  of  goods  to  a  considerable  value,  she  was  ransomed  for 
500  hard  dollars. 

Brunswick,  Ap.  24,  '81. 

To  Mr.  Loring. — Sir :  In  a  New-York  paper  it  is  said  I  was  con- 
cerned in  taking  a  sloop,  such  a  report  is  without  foundation.  I  am  on 
parole,  which  I  shall  give  the  strictest  attention  to.  She  was  taken  by 
Hyler  and  Dickie.  Yours,  &c, 

WM.  MARRENER. 

Marrener  was  obnoxious  to  the  N.  Y.  magistrates.  He  would  not 
have  been  exchanged  but  for  Simcoe's  explaining  to  Clinton  how  Mar- 
rener had  saved  his  life,  when  a  boy  was  about  to  bayonet  him  as  he 
lay  senseless  on  the  ground.  Simcoe,  p.  288,  264. 

895.  Chatham,  May  2,  '81.  On  Sunday  night,  Ap.  15,  Capt. 
Hyler,  of  Brunswick,  went  over  to  L.  I.,  [Michael  Bergen's,  Gow- 
anus,]  and  brought  off  a  Hessian  major  and  ensign  with  their  wait- 
ers, who  are  now  here  on  parole.  They  were  in  the  centre  of  two 
picket  guards,  yet  the  address  of  Hyler  was  such,  that  the  guards 
were  not  alarmed  till  he  was  out  of  their  power. 

896.  Ran  away  from  the  regiment  of  Brunswick  dragoons  at 
Flatlands,  a  black  drummer  named  Prince  Dermen,  light  blue  clothes. 
Proper  reward.  Rio.,  May  5,  '81. 

9* 


190 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


897.  Gaine,  May  21,  '81.  Saturday  night  last  a  pilot  boat  of 
Capt.  David  Morris  and  two  other  boats,  were  taken  between  Robin's 
Reef  and  Yellow  Hook,  by  a  whale-boat  from  Brunswick.  Mr. 
Morris's  boat  was  plundered  of  several  articles,  and  afterwards  ran- 
somed for  $400. 

898.  Grand  Races  at  Ascot  Heath  postponed  till  June  6,  on  ac- 
count of  the  King's  birth  day  ;  on  which  occasion  it  is  expected 
every  true  subject  will  so  strain  his  nerves  in  rejoicing  as  to  prevent 
this  amusement  being  agreeable  before  that  time.  A  hurling  match 
on  the  ground,  June  5,  when  those  who  have  a  curiosity  to  play  (or 
see)  that  ancient  diversion,  will  get  hurls  and  bats  at  the  Irish  Flag. 

Gaine,  May  30,  '81. 

899.  Riv.,  June  6,  '81.  $4  Reward.  Stolen  out  of  the  house 
of  Mr.  Chatham,  near  Bedford,  a  silver  watch.  The  soldiers  of  the 
corps  of  guides  and  pioneers,  quartered  near,  are  suspected. 

900.  Gaine,  June  18,  '81.  About  10,  last  Thursday  night, 
the  house  of  Nicholas  Schenck,  near  3  miles  South  of  Flatbush,  was 
surprised  by  the  crews  of  2  rebel  whale-boats  from  Brunswick. 
The  family  were  at  supper  when  the  rebels  entered  the  house,  and 
of  course  not  prepared  to  make  any  resistance.  They  therefore 
took  away  every  thing  they  could  carry,  wounded  Peter  Bogart, 
of  N.  Y.,  a  lodger  in  the  house,  in  the  side  with  a  bayonet,  took 
away  his  money  and  plate,  and  the  plate  of  the  family,  to  a  con- 
siderable amount. 

Hyler  took  a  sergeant's  guard  at  Canausie  from  the  house  of  their 
Capt.,  Schenck.  The  guards  were  at  supper,  and  their  muskets 
standing  in  the  hall,  when  he  entered.  He  seized  the  arms,  and 
after  jesting  with  the  guard,  borrowed  the  silver  spoons,  took  all 
their  muskets  and  a  few  other  articles,  and  made  one  prisoner.  He 
then  sent  the  guards  to  report  themselves  to  Col.  Axtell,  and  re- 
turned to  N.  Jersey.  Johnson. 

901. 

To  all  who  know  not,  be  it  understood 
Pro  bono  publico,  means  mankind's  good. 
This  day  will  be  exhibited  at  Brooklyn  ferry  a  bull-baiting  after 
the  true  English  manner.  Taurus  will  be  brought  to  the  ring  at  half 
past  3.    Some  good  dogs  are  already  provided,  but  every  assistance 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


191 


of  that  sort  will  be  esteemed  a  favor.  A  dinner  exactly  British  will 
be  upon  Loosely's  table  at  two  o'clock,  after  which  there  is  no  doubt 
the  song  of  "  oh,  the  roast  beef  of  old  England"  will  be  sung  with 
harmony  and  glee. 

This,  notice  gives  to  ail  who  covet 

Baiting  the  bull,  and  dearly  love  it ; 

To-morrow's  very  afternoon, 

At  three — or  rather  not  so  soon, 

A  bull  of  magnitude  and  spirit 

Will  dare  the  dogs'  presuming  merit, 

Taurus  is  steel  to  the  back  bone, 

And  canine  cunning  does  disown, 

True  British  blood  runs  through  his  veins, 

And  barking  numbers  he  disdains. 

Sooner  than  knavish  dogs  shall  rule, 

He'll  prove  himself  a  true  John  Bull. 

Eiv.,  June  20,  '81. 

902.  Situation  of  British  forces  in  Kings  Co.  obtained  from  spies 

and  deserters. 

Mar.,  '77.  Sir  Jas.  Grant,  and  about  a  dozen  ragged  troops,  at 
N.  Utrecht.  Feb.  16,  '79.  33d  Reg.  light  infantry,  (300)  and  2d 
Bat.  Highlanders  (750)  at  Bedford,  3d  Prince  Hereditary  350,  and 
4th  Charles  (300)  at  Brooklyn.  July  7,  '81.  54th,  encamped  on 
Ferry  Hill,  two  miles  from  Brooklyn,  two  companies  at  Cobble  Hill, 
which  Fort  they  are  repairing.  The  new  Fort  at  Brooklyn  is  yet 
imperfect — only  18  cannon  mounted.  July  8,  '81,  In  Brooklyn  Fort 
are  200  Brunswickers,  2  bomb-proof  magazines  in  the  Fort,  200 
Grenadiers  at  Bedford,  Cobble  Hill  commanded  Brooklyn  Fort,  but 
made  lower,  for  fear  it  might  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Continentals. 
Jan.  8,  '82.  At  Flatbush  are  38th  Reg.  (300)  and  54th  (400). 
Feb.  6,  '82.  At  Brooklyn  is  the  Anhault  Zerbet  Reg.,  at  the  Nar- 
rows, the  Brunswick  Reg.,  at  Flatbush,  Delancey's  3d  Bat.  and 
King's  American  dragoons.  June  3,  '82.  The  lines  drawn  between 
Brooklyn  Church  and  Ferry  by  Clinton,  are  not  likely  to  be  com- 
pleted by  Carlton.  They  are  carting  fascines  now.  On  L.  I.  are 
about  3.500  men.  July  5,  '82.  At  Flatbush  is  CoL  Ludlow's  Reg. 

903.  Rro*,  Sep.  1,  '81.  About  2  o'clock  Wednesday  morning, 
a  man  named  Brown  was  taken  up  by  a  picket  of  the  militia,  at 
Flatlands,  on  whom  was  found  a  quantity  of  jewelry,  &c. 


192 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


904.  $10  Reward.  Stolen  from  the  Mills  of  J.  Rapalje,  Jr., 
Sunday  night  a  Moses  built  boat.  Riv.,  Sep.  1,  '81. 

905.  $16  Reward.  Absconded  from  their  owners,  from  the 
house  of  Mr.  Rubel,  at  Flatbush,  2  negro  slaves,  Betsey,  marked 
T.  A.  on  right  shoulder,  and  Polly,  without  any  mark,  both  speak 
bad  English.  Riv.,  Sep.  1,  '81. 

906.  Strayed  or  stolen  from  the  pasture  in  the  rear  of  Lt.  Col. 
Lowenstein's  Bat.  of  Hessian  Grenadiers,  at  Yellow  Hook,  a  sorrel 
horse,  &c.    Also  two  King's  wagon  horses,  marked  G.  R. 

Riv.,  Sep.  5,  '81. 

907.  Sunday  night,  a  rebel  galley  and  whale-boat,  came  to  Yel- 
low Hook  to  plunder,  but  a  party  of  Hessian  Troops  stationed  there 
secured  them  and  their  boats.  Riv.,  Sep.  12,  '81. 

908.  Riv.,  June  30,  '81.  Jas.  Rankin,  Ch'n  of  the  Board  of  Re- 
fugees, requests  the  Loyal  Refugees  of  Kings  Co.,  to  appear  at  the 
house  of  Dr.  Van  Buren,  Flatbush,  on  Wednesday  next  at  noon,  to 
consult  on  matters  of  importance. 

909.  £8  Reward.  Stolen  from  the  Stakesby  Navy  victualler, 
by  2  sailors  of  the  ship  at  the  King's  Brewery,  L.  I.,  a  clinker  built 
skiff.  Riv.,  Sep.  5,  '81. 

910.  Dr.  Allemand  offers  a  handsome  reward  for  a  mouse-col- 
ored horse,  marked  C.  D.  B.,  on  his  left  buttock,  which  was  stolen 
or  strayed  out  of  the  pasture  of  John  Debevoice,  near  Brooklyn 
Church.  Riv.,  July  21,  '81. 

911.  Brooklyn  Hunt.  The  hounds  will  throw  off  at  Denyse's 
Ferry,  at  9,  Thursday  morning.  A  guinea  or  more  will  be  given  for 
a  good  strong  bag  fox  by  Chas.  Loosely.         Riv.,  Nov.  14,  '81. 

912.  Riv.,  Dec.  19,  '81.  "  The  Loyalists  in  the  village  of  Flat- 
bush are  pleased  in  expectation  that  a  certain  long,  tall,  spindle- 
shanked  miscreant,  who  resides  here,  will  be  brought  to  condign 
punishment  for  holding  private  correspondence  with  the  rebels. 
Though  he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  when  the  royal  army  found 
him  in  Jersey,  his  heart  is  as  black  as  his  skin,  and  his  skin  as  blue 
as  when  he  assisted  Isaac  Sears  and  others  in  stealing  the  King's 
cannon  from  the  Battery  in  New-York.   If  he  escapes  the  cord  he  so 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


193 


justly  merits  may  he  be  banished  these  Lines ;  for  loyalists  can't  be 
safe  where  such  a  traitor  resides." 

913.  $6  Reward.  Strayed  or  stolen  from  the  lands  of  John 
Ryerson  at  the  Wallebocht,  a  bay  horse,  tail  nickt,  &c. 

Riv.,  July  21,  '81. 

914.  Chatham,  Aug.  15,  '81.  A  few  days  since,  Capt.  Hyler, 
with  his  wonted  spirit  of  enterprise,  went  over  to  L.  I.,  marched 
3£  miles  into  the  country,  and  brought  off  to  N.  Brunswick,  Col. 
Jeromus  Lott,  a  person  notorious  for  his  cruelty  to  our  prisoners, 
and  John  Hankins,  Capt.  of  a  vessel. 

On  the  night  of  Aug.  4th,  the  crew  of  a  rebel  whale-boat  from  N. 
Jersey,  landed  at  Flatlands,  and  robbed  the  house  of  Col.  Lott  of  about 
£600  in  cash,  and  carried  him  off  with  two  of  his  slaves.  They  also 
robbed  the  house  of  Capt.  Lott  in  the  same  neighborhood,  of  a  consid- 
erable sum  in  specie.  Gaine,  Aug.  13,  '81. 

The  Col.  was  known  to  be  rich.  His  person  and  money  were  the 
objects  desired.  His  cupboard  was  searched  for  money,  and  some  silver 
found  ;  on  further  search,  two  bags,  supposed  to  contain  guineas,  were 
discovered.  In  the  morning,  on  their  passage  up  the  Raritan,  the  Capt. 
and  crew  agreed  to  count  and  divide  the  guineas.  The  bags  were 
opened,  when  to  the  mortification  of  the  crew,  they  were  found  to  con- 
tain only  half-pennies  belonging  to  the  church  at  Flatlands ;  and  the 
Col.  discovered  that  his  guineas  were  safe  at  home.  They  compelled 
the  Col.  to  ransom  his  negroes  at  N.  Brunswick,  when  he  returned  home 
on  parole.  Johnson. 

916.  Gaine,  Dec.  24,  '81.  Nov.  1,  some  evil-minded  person 
took  from  Barren  I.,  Gravescnd  township,  a  brown  Colt,  &c,  of  Rut- 
gert  Van  Brunt,  Esq.,  Sheriff,  burnt  with  letter  Q,  on  near  thigh, 
supposed  carried  up  the  Island  and  sold.  3  guineas  reward  is  offered 
by  Hend'k  Johnson. 

917.  Riv.,  Jan.  12,  '82.  Last  Wednesday  evening,  a  party  of 
infantry,  under  Capt.  Beck  with,  embarked  in  6  boats,  and  at  5  next 
morning,  arrived  off  Brunswick,  where  they  landed  and  brought  off 
all  Capt.  Hyler's  boats.  This  Hyler  is  a  deserter  from  the  royal 
service,  and  has  ever  since  his  defection,  been  too  successful  an 
enterpriser.  Gaine,  Feb.  28,  '82.  "  We  hear  Capt.  Hyler  launched 
a  new  boat,  at  Brunswick,  that  rows  30  oars." 


194 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


918.  Riv.,  Mar.  16,  '82.  We  hear  the  inhabitants  of  Kings  Co . 
complain  bitterly,  against  the  rebel  chiefs,  on  the  score  of  a  heavy 
debt  contracted  by  their  prisoners,  from  May,  '79,  to  Feb.,  '81,  for 
board  and  washing,  which  at  $2  per  week,  has  accumulated  to  near 
£20,000.  Their  Commissary  had  given  notes  of  hand—  [$30,000 
was  voted  by  Congress,  to  pay  this  debt. — Ed.] 

919.  Riv.,  Ap.  27,  '82.  A  sweepstakes  of  300  guineas,  was  won 
by  Jacob  Jackson's  mare,  Slow  and  Easy,  over  Mercury  and  Gold- 
finder,  on  Ascot  Heath.  The  two  beaten  horses  are  to  run  for  100 
guineas  a  side,  on  Wednesday  next,  on  the  same  ground. 

920.  Conn.  Courant,  May  7,  '82.  May  3,  on  Monday  se'nnight, 
the  enemy  began  to  break  ground  to  cut  a  canal  on  L.  I.,  to  run  from 
the  Wallebocht  to  the  Pond,  taking  in  Cobble  Hill  Fort.  The  length 
of  the  trench  is  2$  miles.  The  militia  are  called  out  in  rotation  one 
day  in  a  week,  none  above  15  being  excused  from  labor.  [A  strong 
line  of  intrencbment  was  made  from  the  hill  of  Rem  A.  Remsen 
along  the  highland  of  John  Rapalje,  crossing  Sand  St.  near  Jay  St., 
and  thence  over  the  highest  land  at  Washington  St.  across  the  Jamaica 
road,  to  the  large  fort  on  the  Heights. — Johnson.] 

921.  Ascot  Heath  Races. — Monday  next  a  match  for  60  guineas 
between  Mr.  Van  Mater's  Juniper  and  Mr.  Ryerson's  Calf  Skin. 
To  run  the  best  of  3  two-mile  heats.  Riv.,  May  25,  '82. 

922.  One  Guina  Reward. — Stolen  or  strayed  from  Capt.  Fra- 
zer's  Quarters  of  the  Pioneers,  at  Bushwick,  on  the  night  of  the 
28th  May,  '82.  a  small  chestnut-colored  horse,  &c. 

923.  Last  Tuesday  night  a  whale-boat  attempted  to  land  at  the 
Narrows,  near  the  house  of  Denise  Denise,  Esq.,  but  were  so  warmly 
received  by  4  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  sentries,  that  they  were  soon 
obliged  to  take  to  their  oars.  Some  of  the  sentries  were  wounded 
in  several  places.  Gaine,  July  1,  '82. 

924.  Last  Tuesday  night  Mr.  Hyler  took  2  fishing-boats  near 
the  Narrows,  and  ransomed  them  for  $100  each.  One  of  them  has 
been  twice  captured.  Gaine,  July  15,  '82. 

925.  July  24,  '82.  A  little  before  sunset,  Tuesday  last,  Mr. 
Hyler,  with  3  large  24  oared  boats,  made  an  attack  on  the  galley  sta- 
tioned at  Prince's  Bay,  south  side  of  Staten  I.  There  being  little  or 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


195 


no  wind,  he  came  up  with  a  good  deal  of  resolution,  but  Capt.  Cash- 
man  gave  him  an  18  pounder,  which  went  through  the  stern  of  one 
of  the  boats,  and  obliged  Hyler  to  put  ashore  on  the  island,  where 
after  a  smart  combat  he  was  obliged  to  leave  one  of  his  boats,  and 
make  the  best  of  his  way  home  with  the  other  two. 

John  Althouse,  with  12  men,  was  on  board  a  guard-boat  at  anchor 
in  Prince's  Bay,  when  two  whale-boats  were  descried  under  South 
Amboy  shore.  It  was  a  calm.  The  cable  was  sprung  and  a  24  pounder 
brought  to  bear,  which  sent  a  shot  through  Hyler's  boat.  His  crew 
were  taken  in  the  other  boat,  (Dickey's)  and  all  made  off  for  N.  Bruns- 
wick with  Gen.  Jacob  S.  Jackson,  whom  they  had  captured  in  South 
Bay,  and  kept  prisoner  till  he  was  ransomed. 

Died,  Sep.  6,  '82,  after  a  tedious  and  painful  illness,  which  he  bore 
with  a  great  deal  of  fortitude,  the  brave  Capt.  Adam  Hyler,  of  New 
Brunswick.  His  many  enterprising  acts  in  annoying  and  distressing 
the  enemy,  endeared  him  to  the  patriotic  part  of  his  acquaintance.  He 
has  left  a  wife  and  two  small  children  to  bewail  his  death.  His  remains 
were  decently  interred  with  a  display  of  the  honors  of  war  in  the  Dutch 
burial-ground,  attended  by  a  very  numerous  concourse  of  his  acquaint- 
ances. N.  J.  Gaz.,  Sep.  25,  '82. 

"  Hyler  died  of  a  wound  in  the  knee,  accidentally  given  by  himself 
some  time  ago."  Riv.,  Sep.  11, '82. 

926.  To  Baron  de  Walzogen,  Capt.  Commandant  of  the  combined 
detachment  of  Brunswick  and  Hessian  Hanau  troops,  now  at 
Brooklyn  camp. 

The  inhabitants  of  New  Utrecht,  sensible  of  the  vigilant  care, 
good  order,  and  discipline  prevailing  among  the  officers  and  soldiers 
during  your  command  at  the  Narrows,  beg  your  acceptance  of  their 
warmest  thanks  for  your  attention  to  the  security  of  our  persons  and 
property,  from  Oct.  7,  '81,  to  July  30,  '82. 

Adrian  Van  Brunt,  John  Counhoven,  Hermanns,  Barkelow,  De- 
nys  Denys,  Nich.  Counhoven.  Aug.  6,  '82.  Gaine. 

927.  The  crops  of  corn  and  wheat  are  very  indifferent  in  many 
parts  of  the  country.  Indeed  L.  I.  has  experienced  the  effects  of  a 
very  dry  summer.  Aug.  26,  '82.  Gaine. 

928.  Stolen,  Thursday  night,  from  John  Drawyer,  Brooklyn 
ferry,  a  trunk  containing  2  fowling-pieces,  some  battle  powder,  4 


196 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


agate  flints,  one  like  yellow  marble,  2  old  bird-nets,  and  a  3  gallon  keg 
of  remarkably  good  Antigua  spirits.  2  guineas  reward,  by  John  Hill, 
Inspector.  Gaine,  Sep.  11,  '82. 

929.  To  be  sold,  Sep.  2,  '82,  near  the  wagon-yard  at  Brooklyn, 
large  and  small  wagons,  carts,  harness,  &c.  Gaine. 

930.  Capt.  Peter  Nephew  of  the  Gen.  Greene  whale-boat,  from 
New  Brunswick,  was  taken,  Sep.  8,  '82,  and  kept  in  Provost  till 
March,  '83. 

931.  Riv.,  Jan.  8,  '83.  Carlton  appoints  Mr.  Ernest  de  Die- 
mar,  Major  of  the  Fort  of  Brooklyn.  [The  old  Fort  was  near  the 
junction  of  Henry  and  Pierrepont  Sts. — Ed.] 

932.  Riv.,  Nov.  2,  82.  Wed.  last,  as  Sam'l  Brower  was  agoing 
to  kill  wild  fowl,  he  laid  his  gun  in  the  canoe,  which  was  aground, 
and  setting  his  shoulders  to  it,  endeavored  to  work  off  the  stern, 
when  the  gun  discharged  by  the  rocking  of  the  canoe.  The  load 
entered  Mr.  B.'s  breast  and  killed  him  instantly.  He  has  left  a 
young  family. 

933.  N.  J.  Gaz.,Nov.  13,  '82.  The  brave  Capt.  Storer,  com- 
missioned as  a  private  boat-of-war,  under  the  States,  and  who  pro- 
mises fair  to  be  the  genuine  successor  of  the  late  valiant  Capt. 
Hyler,  has  given  a  recent  instance  of  his  valor  and  conduct  in  cap- 
turing one  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  and  in  cutting  out  a  vessel  lying 
under  the  flag-staff  and  within  half  pistol  shot  of  the  battery  of  14 
guns  at  the  watering  place,  Staten  Island. 

934.  Address  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Kings  and  Queens 
Cos.  to  David  Scott,  Esq.,  Capt.  and  commissary  of  artillery  horse, 
Dec,  1782.  They  lament  his  departure  for  England,  admire  his 
civil  and  military  conduct,  his  zeal  and  attention  in  His  Majesty's 
service  ;  his  behavior  as  a  civilian,  has  been  distinguished  with  justice 
and  agreeable  manners,  so  necessary  to  promote  His  Majesty's 
interest  in  this  country,  and  they  hope  his  endeavors  will  be  re- 
warded. 

Arch'd  Hamilton,  Col.  Com.  Q.  Co.     Nich's  Schenck,  Capt.  K.  Co.  Mil. 

Mil.  John  Rapalje,  late  Col.  K.  Co. 

Jerem.  V.  D.  Belt,  Major  K.  Co.  Mil. 

Mil.  Dowe  Ditmars,  En.  Q.  Co.  Mil. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


197 


Dan'l  Rapalje,  Lt.  Q.  Co.  Mil. 


Maurice  Lott,  late  Sheriff,  K.  Co. 


Johannes  Remsen,  Lt.  K.  Co.  Mil.      Cor's  Wykoff,  Jus.  Quorum,  K. 


Jos.  French,  Jus.  Quorum,  Q.  Co. 
Dan'l  Lent,  Cornet,  Q.  Co.  Horse, 
Christ.  Benson,  Capt.  N.  Y.  Ran- 
gers. 

Jeromus  Lott,  Lt.  Col. 
Richard  Betts,Capt. 


Co. 

Sam'l  Hallet,  Capt.  Delancey's 

Brigade. 
Peter  Lott,  Capt. 
John  Polhemus,  Lt. 


Isaac  Cortelyou, 
Hendrick  Eldert, 
Denyse  Denyse, 
Dan'l  Luyster, 
Garret  Luyster, 
Nath'l  Moore,  3d. 
Nath'l  Moore,  2d. 
David  Moore, 
Nich's  Wykoff, 
Jacob  Snedeker, 
Nich's  Williamson, 
John  Williamson, 
Gozen  Ryers, 
Henry  Van  Buren, 


John  Wetherhead, 
Isaac  Eldert, 
Isaac  Rapalje, 
Jacob  Rapalje, 
Abraham  Lent, 
John  Moore, 
Jos.  Moore, 
Thos.  Harriot, 
Hend'k  Wykoff, 
John  Benham, 
Wm.  Van  Nuise, 
Albert  Terhune, 
Theophylact  Bache, 
John  Johnston, 


Whitehead  Cornell, 
Jaques  Cortelyou, 
Simon  Cortelyou, 
Jos.  Hallet, 
Wm.  Hallet, 
Sam'l  Doughty, 
Cha's  Doughty, 
Wm.  Doughty, 
Johannes  Lott, 
Jurrian  Lott, 
Joost  Wykoff, 
Wm.  C owe nh oven, 
Aug.  Van  Cortland, 
John  Waters, 


935.  Gaine,  Jan.  27,  '83.  Leffert  Leffcrts,  offers  2  guineas  re- 
ward for  2  colts,  (branded  L.  L.  on  near  side),  stolen  or  strayed  off 
the  common  about  Bedford,  last  summer. 

936.  Gaine,  Jan.  27,  '83.  On  Tuesday,  21st,  was  drawn  up  at 
Flatbush,  on  the  green  in  front  of  Col.  Axtell's  house,  the  regiment 
of  Waldeck,  to  consecrate  the  colors  :  present  Gen.  Campbell  com- 
manding on  the  Island,  and  Maj.  Gen.  Hackenbergh  commanding 
the  Hessians  on  the  Island,  with  their  suites.  The  regiment  was 
formed  in  a  circle,  wherein  the  Audileur  took  the  solemn  vow  of 
the  officers  and  men  to  support  the  new  colors  their  Prince  had  sent 
them.  They  then  returned  to  the  ground,  wheeled  by  subdivisions, 
marched  and  passed  the  General,  the  officers  saluting.  A  most 
splendid  dinner  was  given  by  Col.  De  Hoorn,  to  the  Generals, 
officers,  and  the  principal  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  village.  The 
evening  concluded  with  a  splendid  ball,  and  elegant  supper.  Each 
of  the  ladies  presented  the  officer  who  escorted  the  colors,  with  a 
knot  of  blue  and  yellow  ribbons. 


198 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


937.  May  30,  '83.  Albert  Conrad  de  Hoorn,  Lt.  Col.  Com't  of 
the  Prince  of  Waldeck's  3d  regiment,  at  Flatbush,  in  the  service  of 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  offers  pardon  to  all  Hessian  deserters. 

938.  Gaine,  Feb.  24,  '83.  Subscription  assembly  at  Loosely's, 
Brooklyn  Hall,  every  other  Thursday  during  the  season,  for  the 
gentlemen  of  the  army  and  navy,  public  departments  and  citizens. 
Half  a  guinea  each  night  to  provide  music,  tea,  coffee,  chocolate, 
negus,  sangaree,  lemonade,  &c. 

939.  Riv.,  Feb.  26,  '83.  A  whale-boat  was  taken  up  by  the 
guides  and  pioneers  quartered  near  Bushwick  church. 

940.  50  Guineas  Reward.  On  the  night  of  March  4,  '83,  be- 
tween 7  and  10  o'clock,  a  number  of  villains  entered  the  house  of 
Maurice  Lott,  violently  assaulted  and  robbed  him  of  between  4  and 
500  guineas,  chiefly  in  gold,  a  silver  watch,  6  silver  teaspoons,  tea- 
tongs,  a  pair  of  round  gold  buttons  marked  I.  R. 

Riv.,  March  12. 

[Richard  Thompson  and  Isaac  Bunting,  inhabitants  of  L.  I.,  were 
put  in  Provost,  on  charge  of  this  robbery.  Riv.,  Ap.  2,  '83. 

941.  Riv.,  April  5,  '83.  Race  at  Ascot  Heath.  A  purse  of  100 
guineas,  on  April  9,  between  Calfskin  and  Fearnought,  the  best  of 
3  one  mile  heats. 

942.  April  26,  '83.  Gaine.  Last  Thursday,  Catharine,  daughter 
of  Leffert  LefFerts,  Esq.,  in  Bedford,  a  very  amiable  and  accomplished 
young  lady,  having  observed  to  her  mother  that  a  loaded  pistol  left 
by  a  drover,  who  had  been  watching  his  cattle  with  it  the  preceding 
night,  upon  a  chest  of  drawers,  was  rather  dangerously  placed,  and 
that  some  of  the  children  might  get  hurt  by  it,  proceeded  to  remove 
and  put  it  in  a  holster  that  hung  close  by  ;  but  in  the  operation  the 
pistol  discharged,  the  shot  went  through  her  body,  and  she  expired 
immediately. 

ELEGY. 

What  doleful  tidings  in  my  ear  they  ring, 

The  maid  I  love,  is  she  for  ever  gone  ? 
Alas,  'tis  true  !  her  funeral  dirge  they  sing  : 

In  rueful  notes,  her  hapless  end  bemoan. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


199 


No  consolation  can  this  world  now  yield, 

No  pleasing  prospect  can  my  cares  beguile  ; 
The  bloom  of  flowers,  nor  verdure  of  the  fields, 

Her  presence  only,  could  make  all  things  smile. 
Accursed  pistol,  by  some  demon  primed, 

Malignant  to  the  gem  the  world  contained, 
Wast  thou  by  dire  explosion  thus  ill-timed, 

To  rob  the  world  of  excellence,  ordained  ! 
No  more  shall  Cath'rine  rise  upon  my  sight, 

Like  eastern  Sol,  in  her  own  beauty's  light ; 
No  more  the  rose  of  Sharon  shall  adorn 

Her  lovely  visage  in  the  welcome  morn  ; 

Jill  this  is  lost,  her  cheeks,  alas  !  are  pale, 
The  Rose  is  now  the  Lily  of  the  vale  ! 
Covered  with  earth,  into  the  silent  grave, 

She  lies  entombed,  deaf  to  every  cry  ; 
******* 

Then  pray  descend,  fair  Catharina's  shade, 

Into  my  dreams  and  visions  of  the  night ; 
Put  rapturous  illusions  in  my  head, 

That  sad  realities  may  have  respite. 
Too  much  an  angel  for  a  world  of  woe  ; 

Eternal  wisdom  hath  conceived  it  best, 
On  her  a  crown  of  glory  to  bestow, 

Among  the  saints  in  her  Redeemer's  rest 

•  943.  April  30,  '83.  Riv.  $8  Reward. — Ran  away  from  Rem 
H.  Remsen,  Wallebocht,  Sam,  a  mulatto  negro  man.  He  speaks 
English  and  Low  Dutch. 

944.  July  30,  '83.  Riv.  5  Guineas  Reward. — Ran  away  from 
Jeromus  Lott,  a  negro  boy,  Jack. 

945.  At  Flatbush,  in  honor  of  the  King's  birthday,  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  were  most  elegantly  entertained  at  a  truly  splendid  ball 
and  supper,  by  the  officers  of  the  Waldeck  regiment. — April  28,  '83. 

946.  At  auction  at  the  King's  naval  Brewery,  L.  I.,  60  or  70  tons 
of  iron-hoops,  and  70,000  dry  and  provision  casks,  staves,  and  head- 
ing, in  lots  of  10,000.  Riv.,  May  26,  '83. 

947.  July  2,  '83.  Riv.  Auction  at  Flatbush.— The  WALDECK 
STORES,  viz  ;  soldiers'  shirts ;  blue,  white,  and  yellow  cloth ; 
thread  stockings,  shoe-soles,  heel-taps,  &c,  &c. 

948.  Riv.,  July  26,  '83.  A  negro  boy  came  to  me  on  Rockaway 
Beach.  Apply  to  Jas.  Foreman,  Ensign,  Royal  Garrison  Bat.,  at 
Quarters,  New  Lots. 


200 


ARMED  OCCUPATION  OF 


949.  Riv.,  Aug.  1 ,  '83.  Tunis  Bennet  of  Brooklyn  is  in  Provost 
for  carrying  deserters  from  the  Hessian  Reg.  du  corps,  to  the  Jer- 
sey Shore. 

950.  Aug.  4,  '83.  Gaine.  Stolen  out  of  the  pasture  of  Johan- 
nes E.  Lott,  Flatbush,  night  of  Aug.  27,  a  bay  mare,  branded  L  L. 
on  near  thigh. 

951.  Johannes  Snedeker  offers  $10  reward  for  a  fishing-boat 
with  "  1776  "  on  her  stern,  taken  from  Remsen's  Landing,  south 
side  of  L.  I.  Gaine,  Aug.  4,  '83. 

952.  About  75  persons,  mostly  farmers  of  Kings  Co.,  were  in- 
dicted in  Duchess  and  Albany  Cos.,  for  adhering  to  the  British,  but 
the  prosecution  was  abandoned.  Their  names  may  be  found  in 
Gaine,  Dec.  20,  '79 ;  and  in  Riv.,  Aug.  9  and  13,  '83. 

953.  Died  at  Brooklyn,  Wednesday  last,  Pelham  Winslow,  Esq., 
son  of  late  Gen.  W.  of  Marshfield.  He  commanded  the  Mass. 
troops  in  several  expeditions  in  the  French  war. 

Riv.,  Aug.  16,  '83. 

954.  Sep.  8,  '83.  Gaine.  Saddle  horses,  wagons,  carts,  har- 
ness, &c,  at  auction  every  Wednesday,  at  the  wagon-yard,  Brook- 
lyn. 

955.  Q.  M.  Uloth  offers  $2  reward  for  a  bay  mare  of  60th  Reg., 
strayed  from  Bedford  camp. 

956.  John  Harrison,  Brooklyn  Ferry,  offers  one  guinea  reward 
for  a  brown  horse  stolen  from  him. 

957.  Riv.,  Aug.  27,  '83.  King's  draft  and  saddle  horses,  wag- 
ons, carts,  and  harness  for  sale  at  the  wagon-yard,  Brooklyn.  [The 
entrance  to  the  army  yard,  where  forage,  blacksmith's  shop,  &c, 
were  kept,  was  near  the  junction  of  Main  and  Fulton  Sts. — Ed.~\ 

958.  £100  Reward.— The  house  of  Michael  B.  Grant,  near 
Brooklyn  Church,  was  on  Friday  evening,  24th,  between  8  and  9, 
beset  by  a  gang  of  thieves,  5  of  whom  armed  with  pistols  and  cut- 
lasses, robbed  it  of  £90  cash  in  gold  and  silver,  plate  in  great  quan- 
tity, clothing,  &c.  Riv.,  Oct.  25,  '83. 

959.  £20  Reward. — Last  night,  Nov.  5,  about  8  o'clock,  4  men 
with  weapons  forced  into  the  house  of  Johannes  Ditmars,  Flatlands , 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


201 


and  beat  him  and  his  mother  in  a  cruel  manner.  Through  his  re- 
sentment, three  of  them  went  off ;  the  fourth  was  put  in  Flatbush 
jail,  but  escaped  the  same  night  wounded  in  the  head,  and  said  his 
name  was  Jos.  Mosier.  Gaine,  Nov.  8,  '83. 

960.  $o  Reward. — Ran  away  from  Henry  Stanton,  Nov.  8,  '83, 
Jesse,  a  negro  boy — has  a  great  turn  at  whistling.  Gaine. 

961.  Doubtless  there  are  many  incidents  of  the  revolution  that 
are  forgotten.  The  following  among  others  have  been  recorded  by 
Gen.  Johnson  :  "  A  Mrs.  Lott,  of  Flatlands,  was  wantonly  shot  by  a 
soldier  while  sitting  in  her  window ;  three  men  of  the  33d  Reg., 
(under  Col.  Webster,  quartered  at  Lambert  Suydam's,)  had  killed 
one  of  his  cattle,  and  were  skinning  it,  when  he  shot  the  three  with 
one  discharge  of  buckshot ;  two  were  killed  in  Bushwick ;  three  in 
Newtown  ;  one  killed  at  a  shanty,  by  a  man  named  Cypher,  near  the 
Half-way  house. 

Lt.  Sam'l  Dodge,  Capts.  Gilleland  and  Mott,  (taken  at  Ft.  Mont- 
gomery,) were  stationed  at  B.  Johnson's.  Dodge  was  exchanged  in 
a  month,  and  reported  the  practicability  of  borrowing  specie  from 
Whigs  in  Kings  Co..  for  the  use  of  the  State,  and  mentioned  B.  J. 
•who  would  hazard  all  in  the  undertaking.  It  was  agreed  that  confi- 
dential officers  should  be  exchanged,  who  were  to  act  as  agents  in 
the  transactions.  Col.  Wm.  Ellison  was  fixed  upon  to  receive  the 
loan.  He  was  exchanged  in  Nov.  '77,  and  carried  $2,000  in  gold  to 
Gov.  Clinton  ;  a  simple  receipt  was  given.  Before  '82,  large  sums 
had  been  loaned.  Major  H.  Wyckoff  was  hid  two  days,  in  1780, 
at  Rem  A.  Remsen's,  Wallebocht,  in  the  upper  room,  while  the 
Lieut,  of  the  guard  of  the  Jersey  was  quartered  in  the  house.  Rem- 
sen  loaned  him  as  much  as  he  could  carry,  and  conveyed  him  in  a 
sleigh  at  night  to  Cow  Neck.  Thence  he  crossed  to  Poughkeepsie. 
(See  Queens  Co.,  316.) 

962.  May  20,  '84.  Ran  away  from  Jeromus  Lott,  Flatlands,  a 
negro  boy  Jack,  16  years  old  ;  had  on  an  iron  collar  marked  J.  L. 

963.  £20  Reward. — Seven  men  surrounded  the  house  of  Peter 
Neefus  and  Joseph  Vonck,  of  Flatbush,  Saturday  night,  Nov.  20, 
'84,  made  them  prisoners,  carried  off  £120  cash,  5  large  silver 
spoons,  4  silver  salts,  a  silver  punch-strainer,  9  teaspoons,  a  silver 
watch,  2  gold  rings,  a  silver-mounted  sword,  and  pocket-pistol.  A 
free  pardon  to  the  informers. 


202 


CELEBRATION  OF  PEACE. 


Bushwick,  Kings  Co.,  Nov.  25,  '83. 
964.  This  day  their  Excellencies  Gov.  Clinton  and  Gen.  Wash- 
ington, with  part  of  the  American  army,  took  possession  of  the  city 
of  N.  Y. :  on  the  occasion,  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  this  township 
met  and  appointed  Dec.  2d  as  the  day,  and  the  banks  of  the  East 
River,  in  full  view  of  the  city,  as  a  place  of  rejoicing,  and  sent  an 
address  and  invitation  to  Washington. 

To  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq., 
General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States  of  America. 

The  ADDRESS  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants 
of  Kings  Co.,  on  Nassau  Island,  in  the  State  of  N. 
Y.,  who  are  attached  to  the  freedom  and  independ- 
ence of  America. 

With  hearts  full  of  duty  and  acknowledgment  to  the  Su- 
preme Director  of  all  human  events,  and  with  the  most  pro- 
found respect  for  your  Excellency,  we  beg  leave  to  present 
you  our  sincere  congratulations,  on  this  glorious  and  ever 
memorable  era,  of  the  sovereignty  and  independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  sanctioned  by  the  Definitive 
Treaty,  and  the  evacuation  of  the  city  of  N.  Y. ;  your  Ex- 
cellency's entry  into  which,  with  his  Excellency  Gov.  Clin- 
ton, was  with  such  dignity,  order,  and  regulation,  as  will  re- 
dound to  the  lasting  honor  of  your  Excellency,  be  revered  by 
foreign  powers,  and  certainly  obtain  the  affection  of  many 
whose  sentiments  are  averse  to  that  liberty  which  with  the 
divine  assistance  your  Excellency  has  so  happily  acquired 
for  us.  Our  unfeigned  prayers  will  ever  be  for  your  health 
and  happiness,  whether  you  retire  to  the  private  paths  of 
peace,  or  hereafter  may  be  called  to  move  in  the  busy  scenes 
of  war,  in  the  defence  of  your  country.  With  sincere  af- 
fection, equal  duty  and  respect,  we  humbly  beg  leave  to 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


203 


subscribe  ourselves,  in  behalf  of  the  freeholders  and  inhabit- 
ants aforesaid.  Your  Excellency's  very  obedient, 

and  very  humble  servants, 

Philip  Nagel,  Jeremias  Vanderbelt,    Cornelius  Wykoff, 

Johannes  Bergen,     Barent  LefTerts,  Abraham  Luquer, 

John  Titus,  Abraham  Voorhies,      Elias  Hubbard, 

R.  Van  Brunt,         Stephen  Van  Voorhies,  Adrian  Van  Brunt, 
Johannes  Covenhoven. 

To  which  His  Excellency  was  pleased  to  return  the  following 
answer : 

To  the  FREEHOLDERS  AND  INHABITANTS  of  King-, 
Co.,  on  Nassau  Island,  in  the  State  of  New- York,  who  are 
attached  to  the  freedom  and  independence  of  America. 

Gentlemen  : — 

While  you  speak  the  language  of  my  heart,  in  acknowledging 
the  magnitude  of  our  obligations  to  the  Supreme  Director  of  all  hu- 
man events,  suffer  me  to  join  you  in  the  celebration  of  the  present 
glorious  and  ever  memorable  era,  and  to  return  my  best  thanks  for 
your  kind  expressions  in  my  favor.  I  cannot  but  rejoice  sincerely, 
that  the  national  dignity  and  glory  will  be  greatly  increased,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  good  order  and  regularity  which  has  prevailed  univer- 
sally, since  the  city  of  N.  Y.  has  been  repossessed  by  us.  This  con- 
duct exhibits  to  the  world  a  noble  instance  of  magnanimity,  and  will 
doubtless  convince  any  who,  from  ignorance  or  prejudice,  may  have 
been  of  a  different  sentiment,  that  the  laws  do  govern,  and  that  the 
civil  magistrates  are  worthy  of  the  highest  respect  and  confidence. 
For  my  own  part,  Gentlemen,  in  whatever  situation  of  life  I  shall  be 
hereafter,  my  supplications  will  ever  ascend  to  heaven  for  the  pros- 
perity of  my  country  in  general,  and  for  the  individual  happiness  of 
those  who  are  attached  to  the  freedom  and  independence  of  America. 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

N.  Y.,  Dec.  1,  '83. 

Celebration  of  the  Peace  at  Bushwick,  Dec.  2,  1783. 

The  day  was  ushered  in  by  hoisting  the  American  flag,  and  fir- 
ing a  salute  :  an  ox  was  roasted,  and  an  entertainment  provided  to 
welcome  their  brethren,  who  have  suffered  seven  years'  exile,  and 


204 


CELEBRATION  OF  PEACE. 


who  have  sacrificed  their  all  at  the  shrine  of  liberty.  After  they  had 
all  partook  of  the  feast,  the  following  toasts  were  drank,  attended  by 
a  salute,  huzzaing,  and  music. 

1.  The  United  States  of  America. 

2.  His  most  Christian  Majesty. 

3.  The  States  of  Holland. 

4.  May  the  State  of  N.  Y.  be  entirely  abandoned  by  her  enemies. 

5.  His  Excellency  Gov.  Clinton. 

6.  His  Excellency  Gen'l  Washington. 

7.  The  Hon.  the  Council. 

8.  The  Hon.  the  House  of  Assembly. 

9.  Prosperity  and  honor  to  the  sons  of  Liberty. 

10.  May  the  memory  of  those  who  have  fallen  in  the  cause  of 
America,  be  ever  precious  to  her  sons. 

11.  A  free  and  extensive  trade. 

12.  Success  to  agriculture. 

13.  As  the  roaring  of  a  lion  is  to  animals,  so  may  the  frowns  of 
America  be  to  princes. 

The  day  was  spent  in  the  greatest  good  humor,  decency,  and  de- 
corum. Every  countenance  displayed  in  the  most  lively  manner,  the 
joy  and  gratitude  of  their  hearts  upon  this  most  happy  and  important 
event ;  and  what  added  to  the  cheerfulness  of  the  day,  was  the  once 
more  beholding  the  metropolis  of  this  State,  emerging  from  that 
scene  of  ruin  and  distress,  which  it  has  severely  experienced,  during 
the  late  contest,  from  a  cruel,  unrelenting,  and  insulting  foe. 


INCIDENTS 


OF  THE 


BRITISH  PRISONS  AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT 
NEW-YORK. 


10 


V  Let  the  dark  Scorpion's  hulk  narrate 
The  dismal  tale  of  English  hate  ; 
Her  horrid  scenes  let  Jersey  tell, 
And  mock  the  shades  where  demons  dwell : 
There  shrieks  of  pain,  and  dying  groan, 
Unheeded  fell  on  ears  of  stone." 

J.  M.  Scott. 


BRITISH  PRISONS  AND  PRISON-SHIPS. 


British  Prisons  in  New-York,  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

[The  British  took  possession  of  New-York,  Sept.  15,  1776;  and 
the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  Nov.  16,  threw  nearly  2700  pris- 
oners in  their  power.  To  these  must  be  added  over  1000  taken  at 
the  battle  of  Brooklyn,  and  such  private  citizens  as  were  arrested  for 
their  political  principles  in  the  vicinity  of  New- York  city  and  on 
Long  Island  :  and  we  may  safely  conclude  that  Sir  William  Howe 
had  at  least  5000  prisoners  to  provide  for.  The  slidden  influx  of  so 
many  prisoners,  the  recent  capture  of  the  city,  and  the  unlooked  for 
conflagration  of  a  fourth  part  of  it,  threw  his  affairs  into  such  con- 
fusion, that,  from  those  circumstances  alone,  the  prisoners  must  have 
suffered  much,  from  want  of  food  and  other  bodily  comforts ;  but 
there  was  superadded  the  studied  cruelty  of  Capt.  Cunningham,  the 
Provost  Marshal,  and  his  deputies,  and  the  criminal  negligence  of  Sir 
Wm.  Howe.  To  contain  such  a  vast  number  of  prisoners,  the  or- 
dinary places  of  confinement  were  insufficient.  Accordingly  the 
Brick  Church,  the  Middle  Dutch  and  the  North  Dutch  Churches 
were  appropriated  to  their  use.  Besides  these,  Columbia  College, 
the  Sugar  House,  the  New  Jail,  the  new  Bridewell,  and  the  Old 
City  Hall,  were  rilled  to  their  utmost  capacity. 

Till  within  a  few  years,  the  Sugar  House  stood  in  Liberty-street, 
south  of  the  Middle  Dutch  Church,  a  dark  stone  building,  with  small 
deep,  port-hole  looking  windows,  rising  tier  above  tier,  exhibiting  a 
dungeon-like  aspect.  It  was  five  stories  high ;  and  each  story  was 
divided  into  two  dreary  apartments.  On  the  stones  and  bricks  in  the 
wall  were  to  be  seen  initials  and  dates,  as  if  done  with  a  prisoner's 
penknife  or  nail.    There  was  a  strong,  jail-like  door  opening  on 


208 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


Liberty-street,  and  another  on  the  southeast,  descending  into  a  dis- 
mal cellar,  also  used  as  a  prison.  There  was  a  walk  nearly  broad 
enough  for  a  cart  to  travel  around  it,  where,  night  aad  day,  two 
British  or  Hessian  guards  walked  their  weary  rounds.  The  yard 
was  surrounded  by  a  close  board  fence,  nine  feet  high.  "  In  the  suffo- 
cating heat  of  summer,"  says  Wm.  Dunlap,  "  I  saw  every  narrow 
aperture  of  those  stone  walls  filled  with  human  heads,  face  above  face, 
seeking  a  portion  of  the  external  air."  While  the  jail-fever  was 
raging,  in  the  summer  of  1777,  the  prisoners  were  let  out,  in  com- 
panies of  20,  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time,  to  breathe  fresh  air ;  and  in- 
side they  were  so  crowded,  that  they  divided  their  numbers  into  squads 
of  6  each.  No.  1  stood  ten  minutes  as  close  to  the  window  as  they 
could  crowd,  and  then  No.  2  took  their  places ;  and  so  on.  Seats  there 
were  none  ;  and  their  beds  were  but  straw,  intermixed  with  vermin. 
For  many  weeks  the  dead-cart  visited  the  prison  every  morning, 
into  which  eight  to  twelve  corpses  were  flung  and  piled  up,  like  sticks 
of  wood,  and  dumped  into  ditches  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 

The  North  Dutch  Church,  corner  of  William  and  Fulton-streets, 
was  made  to  hold  800  prisoners ;  its  pews  were  ripped  out,  and  used 
for  fuel  probably ;  its  mahogany  pulpit  was  sent  to  London,  and  put 
in  a  chapel  there,  and  a  floor  laid  across  from  one  gallery  to  the 
other.  Bayonet  marks  are  yet  discernible  on  the  pillars  ;  and  those 
walls,  that  had  reverberated  with  the  praises  of  the  Most  High,  now 
resounded  with  curses  and  blasphemy. 

The  Middle  Dutch  Church  (now  the  Post  Office)  was  at  first 
used  as  a  prison.  Mr.  John  Pintard  (an  assistant  to  his  uncle  Lewis 
Pintard,  who  was  appointed  by  Congress  to  look  after  the  prisoners) 
says,  "  In  the  Middle  Dutch  Church  the  prisoners  taken  on  Long 
Island  and  at  Fort  Washington,  sick,  wounded  and  well,  were  all 
indiscriminately  huddled  togother,  by  hundreds  and  thousands ;  large 
numbers  of  whom  died  by  disease — and  many  undoubtedly  poisoned 
by  inhuman  attendants,  for  the  sake  of  their  watches  or  silver  buckles." 
Soon  afterwards  it  was  turned  into  a  riding-school,  to  train  dragoon 
horses.  The  floor  was  taken  up,  and  the  ground  covered  with  tan 
bark.  A  pole  ran  across  the  middle,  for  the  horses  to  leap  over. 
The  glass  was  taken  from  the  windows,  and  the  shutters  unhung. 
The  church  was  left  in  this  ruinous  condition  till  1790,  when  we  read 
in  Greenleaf 's  Paper  of  July  6th,  that  "  On  Sunday  last,  the  new 
Dutch  Church  was  re-dedicated  to  the  King  of  kings.    The  Rev. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NETV-YOKK. 


209 


Dr.  Livingston  preached  from  Ex.  xx.  24.  It  had  been  prostituted  to 
horse-schooling  while  the  British  had  possession  of  the  city,  thus 
turning  the  House  of  God  into  a  den  of  thieves." 

The  Brick  Church  (Dr.  Spring's]  was  at  first  a  prison,  but  soon 
it,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Wall-street,  the  Scotch  Church 
[Dr.  Mason's],  in  Cedar-street,  and  the  Friends'  Meeting  House, 
were  converted  into  hospitals.  At  the  Peace,  in  1783,  there  was  no 
Presbyterian  church  fit  to  preach  in,  so  that  Dr.  Rogers  delivered  his 
famous  Thanksgiving  Sermon  in  St.  Paul's  Chapel.  The  French 
Church,  in  Pine-street,  was  a  storehouse  for  ordnance  stores. 

Columbia  College  was  used  as  a  prison  only  a  short  time,  proba- 
bly. One  of  Capt.  Vandyke's  grenadiers  saw  the  great  fire,  Sept. 
21,  1776,  from  its  windows. 

The  Xew  Bridewell,  between  the  present  City  Hall  and  Broad- 
way, was  for  a  time  used  as  a  prison  for  American  soldiers.  Oliver 
Woodruff,  who  recently  died  at  the  age  of  90,  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Fort  Washington,  and  has  left  the  following  record  of  his  confine- 
ment here  : — "  We  were  marched  to  New- York,  and  went  into  differ- 
ent prisons — 816  went  into  the  New  Bridewell,  I  among  the  rest ; 
some  into  the  Sugar  House ;  others  into  the  Dutch  Church.  On 
Thursday  morning  they  brought  us  a  little  provision,  which  was  the 
first  morsel  we  got  to  eat  or  drink  after  eating  our  breakfast  on  Sat- 
urday morning.  We  never  drew  as  much  provision  for  three  days' 
allowance  as  a  man  would  eat  at  a  common  meal.  I  was  there  three 
months  during  that  inclement  season,  and  never  saw  any  fire,  except 
what  was  in  the  lamps  of  the  city.  There  was  not  a  pane  of  glass 
in  the  windows,  and  nothing  to  keep  out  the  cold  except  the  iron 
grates." 

The  old  City  Hall  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Custom  House, 
and  was  converted  into  a  guard-house  for  the  main  guard  of  the  city. 
It  had  dungeons  and  prisons  below ;  and  a  court-room  on  the  second 
floor,  where  the  refugee  clergy  preached  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
war.  At  first,  civil  offenders  were  confined  here  ;  but  subsequently 
whaleboatmen  and  robbers. 

The  New  Jail,  or  "  the  Provost  [now  the  Hall  of  Records]  was 
destined,"  says  Pintard,  "  for  the  more  notorious  rebels,  civil,  naval 
and  military.  An  admission  into  this  modern  bastile,  was  enough  to 
appal  the  stoutest  heart.  On  the  right  hand  of  the  main  door  was 
Capt.  Cunningham's  quarters ;  opposite  to  which  was  the  guard-room 


210 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


Within  the  first  barricade  was  Sergeant  O'Keefe's  apartment.  At 
the  entrance  door  two  sentinels  were  always  posted,  by  day  and  night. 
Two  more  at  the  1st  and  2d  barricades,  which  were  grated,  barred 
and  chained  ;  also,  at  the  rear  door,  and  on  the  platform  at  the  grated 
door,  at  the  foot  of  the  second  flight  of  steps,  leading  to  the  rooms 
and  cells  in  the  second  and  third  stories.    When  a  prisoner,  escorted 
by  soldiers,  was  led  into  the  hall,  the  whole  guard  was  paraded,  and 
he  was  delivered  over  with  all  formality  to  Capt.  Cunningham  or  his 
deputy,  and  questioned  as  to  his  name,  rank,  size,  age,  &c,  all  of 
which  were  entered  in  a  record  book.    What  with  the  bristling  of 
arms,  unbolting  of  bars  and  locks,  clanking  of  enormous  iron  chains, 
and  a  vestibule  dark  as  Erebus,  the  unfortunate  captive  might  well 
shrink  under  this  infernal  sight  and  parade  of  tyrannical  power,  as  he 
crossed  the  threshold  of  that  door  which  possibly  closed  on  him  for 
life.    The  northeast  chamber,  turning  to  the  left,  on  the  second 
floor,  was  appropriated  to  officers,  and  characters  of  superior  rank, 
and  was  called  Congress  Hall.    So  closely  were  they  packed,  that 
when  they  lay  down  at  night  to  rest,  when  their  bones  ached  on  the 
hard  oak  planks,  and  they  wished  to  turn,  it  was  altogether  by  word 
of  command,  "  right — Ze/V'  being  so  wedged  as  to  form  almost  a  solid 
mass  of  human  bodies.    In  the  day-time  the  packs  and  blankets  of 
the  prisoners  were  suspended  around  the  walls,  every  precaution  be- 
ing used  to  keep  the  rooms  ventilated,  and  the  walls  and  floors  clean, 
to  prevent  jail-fever,  and  as  the  Provost  was  generally  crowded  with 
American  prisoners  or  British  culprits  of  every  description,  it  is  really 
wonderful  that  infection  never  broke  out  within  its  walls.    In  this 
gloomy  abode  were  incarcerated  at  different  periods,  many  American 
officers  and  citizens  of  distinction,  awaiting  with  sickening  hope,  the 
protracted  period  of  their  liberation.    Could  these  dumb  walls  speak, 
what  scenes  of  angush  might  they  not  disclose  !    The  Captain  and 
his  Deputy  were  enabled  to  fare  sumptuously,  by  dint  of  curtailing 
the  prisoners'  rations,  exchanging  good  for  bad  provisions,  and  other 
embezzlements.    In  the  drunken  orgies  that  usually  terminated  his 
dinners,  Cunningham  would  order  the  rebel  prisoners  to  turn  out  and 
parade  for  the  amusement  of  his  guests,  pointing  them  out :  "  this  is 

the  d  d  rebel,  Col.  Ethan  Allen,"  "  that  is  a  rebel  judge,"  &c. 

The  other  prisons  were  cleared  at  or  before  the  close  of  hostili- 
ties, but  the  Provost  and  Old  City  Hall  were  continued  as  prisons 
till  Evacuation  Day.    "  I  was  in  New-York,  Nov.  26th,"  says  Gen. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


211 


Johnson,  "  and  at  the  Provost,  about  ten  o'clock,  A.  M., — a  few  British 
criminals  were  yet  in  custody,  and  O'Keefe  threw  his  ponderous 
bunch  of  keys  on  the  floor  and  retired, — when  an  American  guard 
relieved  the  British  guard,  which  joined  a  detachment  of  British  troops, 
then  on  parade  in  Broadway,  and  marched  down  to  the  Battery, 
where  they  embarked  for  England."] — Ed. 

Robt.  Troup,  late  Lt.  in  Col.  Lasher's  battalion,  says  he,  Lt.  Ed. 
Dunscomb,  Adj.  Hoogland,  and  two  volunteers  were  made  prisoners 
by  a  detachment  of  British  troops,  3  o'clock  A.  M.,  Aug.  27,  '76. 
They  were  carried  before  the  Generals,  interrogated  and  threatened 
to  be  hung.  Thence  they  were  led  to  a  house  near  Flatbush.  At 
9  A.  M.,  they  were  led  in  rear  of  the  army  to  Bedford.  18  officers 
taken  that  morning  were  confined  in  a  small  soldiers'  tent  for  two 
nights  and  near  three  days — it  raining  most  of  the  time  ;  60  privates 
also  had  but  one  tent,  while  at  Bedford  the  Provost  Marshall,  Cun- 
ningham, brought  with  him  a  negro  with  a  halter,  telling  them  the 
negro  had  already  hung  several,  and  he  imagined  he  would  hang 
some  more.  The  negro  &  C,  also  insulted  the  prisoners,  showing 
them  the  halter,  and  with  the  officers  and  soldiers  calling  them  rebels, 
scoundrels,  robbers,  murderers,  &c.  From  Bedford  they  were  led 
to  Flatbush,  and  confined  a  week  in  Mr.  Leffert's  house,  on  short 
allowance  of  biscuit  and  salt  pork.  Several  Hessian  soldiers  took 
pity  on  them,  and  gave  them  apples,  and  once  fresh  beef.  From 
Flatbush.  after  a  week,  he  with  70  or  80  officers,  was  put  on  board 
a  snow  lying  between  Gravesend  and  the  Hook,  without  bedding  or 
blankets,  afflicted  with  lice  and  other  vermin,  soap  and  fresh  water 
for  washing,  being  refused  them.  They  drank  and  cooked  with 
filthy  water  brought  from  England.  The  Captain  charged  a  very 
large  commission  for  purchasing  necessaries  for  them  with  the  money 
they  procured  from  their  friends.  From  the  snow,  after  6  weeks, 
(Oct.  17,)  they  were  carried  to  N.  Y.,  and  confined  in  a  house  near 
Bridewell.  At  first,  they  were  not  allowed  any  fuel,  and  afterwards, 
only  a  little  coal  for  3  days  in  the  week.  Provisions  dealt  out  very 
negligently,  scanty  and  of  bad  quality;  and  from  the  bad  health  of 
the  prisoners,  most  would  have  died  had  they,  not  been  supported  by 
poor  people  and  common  prostitutes,  who  took  pity  on  them.  Shortly 
..fter  the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  the  above  prisoners  were  al- 
lowed to  walk  about  the  city. — Nearly  one  half  of  the  prisoner* 
taken  on  L.  I.,  have  died.    The  privates  being  treated  with  great 


212 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


inhumanity,  without  fuel  or  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  and  were 
obliged  to  obey  the  calls  of  nature  in  their  places  of  confinement. 

Cor.  411, 

The  British  hung  no  one  of  the  prisoners  of  Aug.  27,  but  played 
the  fool  by  making  them  ride  with  a  rope  around  their  necks,  seated 
on  coffins,  to  the  gallows.    Otho  H.  Williams,  was  treated  so. 

Thatcher,  p.  77. 

Adolph  Myer,  late  of  Col.  Lasher's  bat.,  says  he  was  taken  by 
the  British,  at  Montresor's  Island. — They  threatened  twice  to  hang 
him,  and  had  a  rope  fixed  to  a  tree.  He  was  led  to  Gen.  Howe's 
quarters,  (Jas.  Beekman's)  near  Turtle  Bay,  who  ordered  him  pin- 
ioned. He  was  confined  4  days  on  bread  and  water,  in  the  condemned 
hole  of  the  New  Jail,  without  bedding  or  straw.  He  was  next  put 
in  the  College,  and  then  in  the  New  Dutch  Church,  whence  he  es- 
caped, Jan.  24,  '77.  He  was  treated  with  great  inhumanity,  and 
would  have  died,  had  he  not  been  supported  by  his  friends.  The 
allowance  was  one  loaf  for  6  days,  of  the  bread  left  on  the  evacua- 
tion of  N.  Y.,  (and  which  had  been  made  for  an  allowance  of  3  days), 
one  quart  of  pease,  half  a  pint  of  rice,  and  one  and  a  half  pounds  of 
pork,  for  6  days.  Many  prisoners  died  from  want,  and  others  were 
reduced  to  such  wretchedness  as  to  attract  the  compassion  of  com- 
mon prostitutes,  from  whom  they  received  considerable  assistance. 
No  care  was  taken  of  the  sick,  and  if  any  died,  they  were  thrown  at 
the  door  of  the  prison,  and  lay  there  till  next  day,  when  they  were 
put  on  a  cart  and  drawn  out  to  the  intrenchments,  beyond  the  Jews' 
burial  ground,  when  they  were  interred  by  their  fellow-prisoners, 
conducted  thither  for  that  purpose.  The  dead  were  thrown  into  a 
hole  promiscuously,  without  the  usual  rites  of  sepulture.  Myer  was 
frequently  enticed  to  enlist.  Cor.  412. 

Gaine,  Nov.  25,  '76.  There  are  now  5,000  prisoners  in  town, 
many  of  them  half  naked.  Congress  desert  the  poor  wretches — 
have  sent  them  neither  provisions  nor  clothing,  nor  paid  attention  to 
their  distress,  or  that  of  their  families.  Their  situation  must  have 
been  doubly  deplorable,  but  for  the  humanity  of  the  King's  officers. 
Every  possible  attention  has  been  given,  considering  their  great 
numbers  and  necessary  confinement,  to  alleviate  their  distress  arising 
from  guilt,  sickness  and  poverty. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


213 


Sergeant  Hubert  offers  a  reward  for  three  prisoners  who  broke 
from  New  Jail. 

N.  London,  Nov,  8,  '76.  Yesterday  arrived  E.  Thomas,  captured 
Sep.  1,  carried  to  N.  *Y.,  and  put  on  board  the  Chatham.  He  es- 
caped Wednesday  se'nnight. 

Nov.  20,  '76.  American  officers  (prisoners  on  parole)  were 
walking  about  the  streets,  but  soldiers  were  closely  confined  and  had 
but  half  allowance,  sickly  and  died  fast. 

N.  London,  Nov.  29,  '76.  A  cartel  arrived  here  for  exchange  of 
seamen  only.  Prisoners  had  miserable  confinement  in  store-ships 
and  transports,  suffering  for  want  of  the  common  necessaries  of  life. 

Whitby  Prison  ship,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  9,  '76.  Our  present  situation 
is  most  wretched ;  more  than  250  prisoners,  some  sick,  and  without 
the  least  assistance  from  physician,  drug  or  medicine,  and  fed  on  two- 
thirds  allowance  of  salt  provisions,  and  crowded  promiscuously  with- 
out regard  to  color,  person  or  office,  in  the  small  room  of  a  ship  be- 
tween decks,  allowed  to  walk  the  main  deck  only  from  sunrise  to 
sunset.  Only  2  at  a  time  allowed  to  come  on  deck  to  do  what  na- 
ture requires,  and  sometimes  denied  even  that,  and  use  tubs  and 
buckets  between  decks,  to  the  great  offence  of  every  delicate  cleanly 
person,  and  prejudice  of  all  our  healths.  Lord  Howe  has  liberated 
all  in  the  merchant  service,  but  refuses  to  exchange  those  taken  in 
arms  but  for  like  prisoners.  Trumbull  Papers,  p.  76. 

Lt.  Catlin,  taken  Sep.  15,  '76,  confined  with  no  sustenance,  for 
48  hours  ;  for  1 1  days,  had  only  2  days'  allowance,  pork  offensive  to 
the  smell,  bread  hard,  mouldy  and  wormy,  made  of  canail  and  dregs 
of  flax  seed;  water  brackish,  I  have  seen  $1,50  given  for  a  com- 
mon pail  full ;  3  or  4  lbs.  of  poor  Irish  pork  were  given  to  3  men  for 
3  days.  In  one  church  were  850  prisoners,  for  near  3  months. 
About  Dec.  25,  he  with  225  men  put  on  board  the  Glasgow,  at  N. 
Y.,  to  be  carried  to  Con't,  for  exchange.  They  were  aboard  11 
days,  and  kept  on  coarse  broken  bread  and  less  pork  than  before,  and 
had  no  fire  for  sick  or  well,  crowded  between  decks,  and  28  died 
through  ill  usage  and  cold.  Hist.  Litchfield,  p.  39. 

N.  Y.,  Dec.  26,  '76.    "  The  distress  of  the  prisoners  cannot  be 
communicated  by  words,  20  or  30  die  every  day,  they  lie  in  heaps 
unburied  ;  what  numbers  of  my  countrymen  have  died  by  cold  and 
10* 


214 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


hunger,  perished  for  want  of  the  common  necessaries  of  life !  I 
have  seen  it.  This,  sir,  is  the  boasted  British  clemency  !  I  myself 
had  well  nigh  perished  under  it.  The  New  England  people  can 
have  no  idea  of  such  barbarous  policy,  nothing  can  stop  such  treat- 
ment but  retaliation.  I  ever  despised  private  revenge,  but  that  of  the 
public  must  be  in  this  case  both  just  and  necessary  ;  it  is  due  to  the 
manes  of  our  murdered  countrymen,  and  that  alone  can  protect  the 
survivors  in  the  like  situation.  Rather  than  experience  again  their 
barbarity  and  insults,  may  I  fall  by  the  sword  of  the  Hessians." 

S.  Young  says,  Dec.  15,  '76,  he  was  taken  at  Fort  Washington, 
and  with  500  was  kept  in  a  stable,  and  had  no  provisions  till  Monday 
night,  when  the  enemy  threw  in  the  stable,  in  a  confused  manner, 
as  if  to  so  many  hogs,  a  quantity  of  biscuit  in  crumbs,  mostly 
mouldy,  and  some  crawling  with  maggots,  which  the  prisoners  were 
obliged  to  scramble  for  without  any  division.  Next  day  they  had  a 
little  pork,  which  they  were  obliged  to  eat  raw.  Afterwards  they 
got  sometimes  a  bit  of  pork,  at  other  times  biscuit,  peas  and  rice. 
They  were  confined  two  weeks  in  a  church,  where  they  suffered 
greatly  with  cold,  not  being  allowed  fire.  Insulted  by  soldiers, 
women,  and  even  negroes.  Great  numbers  died,  three,  four  or  more 
sometimes  a  day.  Afterwards  they  were  carried  on  board  a  ship, 
where  500  were  confined  below  deck.  Hinman,  p.  134. 

W.  D.  says  the  prisoners  were  roughly  used  at  Harlem,  on  their 
way  from  Ft.  Washington  to  N.  York,  where  800  were  stowed  in 
the  New  Bridewell,  which  was  a  cold  open  house,  the  windows  not 
glazed.  They  had  not  one  mouthful  from  early  Saturday  morning, 
till  Monday,  rations  for  three  days  were  a  half  pound  of  biscuit,  half 
pound  pork,  half  pint  peas,  half  gill  rice,  half  ounce  of  butter, — the 
whole  enough  for  one  good  meal — and  defrauded  in  this  petty  al- 
lowance ; — no  straw  or  hay  to  lie  on — no  fuel  but  one  cartload  per 
week  for  the  800  men.  At  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  Hessian  guards 
wrould  come  in  and  put  out  the  fire,  and  lay  on  the  poor  prisoners 
with  heavy  clubs,  for  sitting  round  the  fire  ;  water  very  bad  as  well 
as  bread  except  once,  good  biscuit,  and  once  good  baker's  bread. 
Prisoners  died  like  rotten  sheep,  with  cold,  hunger  and  dirt,  andthose 
who  had  good  apparel,  such  as  buckskin  breeches,  or  good  coats,  were 
necessitated  to  sell  them  to  purchase  bread  to  keep  themselves  alive. 

Lt.  Col.  Selah  Hart,  presented  to  the  Assembly  of  Connecticut 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


215 


the  petition  of  38  Continental  officers,  prisoners  on  parole  on  L.  I., 
for  hard  money.    They  had  been  there  from  Sep.,  '76,  to  May,  '77. 

Hinman,  p.  277. 

This  may  inform  those  who  have  friends  in  N.  Y.,  prisoners  of 
war,  that  Maj.  Wells,  a  prisoner,  has  come  thence  to  Conn,  on  parole,  to 
collect  hard  money  for  the  much  distressed  and  suffering  officers  and 
soldiers  there,  and  desires  the  money  may  be  left  at  landlord  Bett's, 
Norwalk ;  Capt.  Benjamin's,  Stratford ;  landlord  Beer's,  N.  Haven ; 
Hezekiah  Wylly's,  Hartford ;  and  at  said  Wells's,  Colchester,  with 
proper  accounts  from  whom  received,  and  to  whom  to  be  delivered. 

N.  B. — The  letters  must  not  be  sealed,  nor  contain  any  thing  of 
a  political  nature.  Conn.  Paper,  Dec.  6,  '76. 

John  Rapalje  and  Miles  Sherbrook,  prisoners  in  Conn.,  (who  had 
been  sent  there  by  Washington,  Aug.  '76,  as  disaffected  persons) 
drew  a  letter  of  credit  for  £500,  in  favor  of  Maj.  Levi  Wells,  for 
the  use  of  the  Continental  troops,  then  in  captivity  in  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
13,  '76.  [They  owed  this  money  probably  for  board.  John  Ra- 
palje, with  Jas.  Coggswell,  had  been  seized  while  on  his  way  with 
sheep  for  Howe's  army.] 

Correspondence  of  Washington  and  Howe,  on  the  cruel  treatment 
of  American  prisoners,  taken  from  Sparks's  Washington. 
Dec.  20,  '76.  Washington  says  a  Commissary  of  prisoners  should  be 
appointed  ;  for  prisoners  from  all  quarters  are  pushed  in  our  camp  without 
notice.  They  are  also  travelling  all  over  the  country  with  certificates  of 
Committees,  without  control,  and  some  have  even  gone  in  the  enemy's 
camp. 

Washington  writes  to  Howe,  Jan.  13,  '77,  on  the  cruel  treatment 
of  prisoners  in  the  Ships  at  N.Y.  "  I  hope  the  miseries  of  cold,  disease, 
and  famine,  may  not  be  added  to  their  other  misfortunes.  You  may  call 
us  rebels,  and  say  we  deserve  no  better  treatment,  but  remember  we  have 
feelings  keen  and  sensible,  as  loyalists,  and  will  retaliate  on  the  unjust 
invaders  of  our  rights,  liberties,  and  properties.  My  injured  countrymen 
have  long  called  on  me  to  obtain  redress  of  their  grievances.  I  am 
sorry  I  am  again  under  the  necessity  of  remonstrating  to  you  on  the 
treatment,  which  our  prisoners  continue  to  receive  in  N.  Y.  Those  who 
have  lately  been  sent  out,  giving  the  most  shocking  accounts  of 
their  barbarous  usage,  which  their  miserable  emaciated  countenances 
confirm.    If  a  real  scarcity  of  provisions  and  fuel,  at  this  inclement 


216 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


season,  is  the  cause  that  our  prisoners  are  debarred  from  them,  common 
humanity  points  out  a  mode,  which  is,  to  suffer  them  to  go  home  under 
parole,  not  to  serve  during  the  war,  or  until  an  equal  number  are  re- 
leased by  us.  Most  of  the  prisoners  who  have  returned  home,  have  in- 
formed me  they  were  offered  better  treatment,  provided  they  would  en- 
list in  your  service. 

[Wm.  Gamble  deposes,  (Conn.  Gaz.,  Feb.  8,  '77,)  that  prisoners 
were  huddled  together  with  negroes  ;  had  weak  grog  ;  no  swab  to  clean 
the  ship  ;  bad  oil ;  raw  pork  ;  seamen  refused  them  water  ;  called  them 

d  d  rebels  ;  dead  not  buried,  &c.    Lt.  Wm.  Sterret,  taken  Aug.  27, 

his  clothing  stolen  ;  abused  by  soldiers  ;  stinted  in  food  ;  slight  wounds 
became  mortal  by  neglect ;  recruiting  officers  seduced  prisoners,  &c. 
— Ed.] 

Howe  replies  to  Washington,  Jan.  17/77.  That  Capt.  Gamble's  re- 
port is  exaggerated.  The  prisoners  were  confined  with  the  more  general 
liberty  of  the  prison  ship,  till  a  successful  attempt  was  made  to  escape. 
The  rest  were  then  restrained  within  such  narrow  limits  as  left  the 
more  commanding  parts  of  the  ship  in  possession  of  the  guard.  Provi- 
sions were  the  same  as  given  to  British  sailors  ;  the  want  of  cleanliness  is 
owing  to  the  prisoners,  who  have  had  constant  attendance  of  a  surgeon 
and  medicines  from  the  King's  store.  The  fleet  physician  has  also  attend- 
ed and  prescribed,  7  have  died  of  500  sufferers.  The  prisoners  petitioned 
for  enlargement,  but  did  not  complain  of  ill  treatment.  The  prisoners 
from  different  Provinces,  were  set  free  in  separate  corps,  in  compassion 
to  their  unnvoidable  sufferings,  and  the  confined  situation  of  the  fleet 
and  army.  104  not  taken  in  arms,  were  landed  in  Conn,  last  month, 
38  landed  in  Penn.,  30  set  free  here. 

Jan.  20,  '77.  Washington  proposes  Lewis  Pintard,  a  merchant  of  N. 
Y.,  to  reside  there  as  an  agent  for  prisoners. 

Ap.  21,  77.  Howe  (in  reply  to  Washington  of  9th  inst.)  says  all  pri- 
soners are  confined  in  the  most  airy  buildings,  and  largest  transports, 
being  the  healthiest  places.  Near  half  the  prisoners  were  received  in 
British  hospitals,  and  their  own  surgeons  without  restriction  supplied 
with  medicines,  till  they  disposed  of  large  quantities  at  private  sale. 
Clothing  and  money  are  all  the  prisoners  want. 

May  17,  '77.  Washington  disapproves  of  Gen.  Parson's  proposition 
of  a  descent  on  Flatbush,  to  release  American  officers,  prisoners  there 
on  parole.  [The  British  in  apprehension  of  a  rescue,  had  removed  the 
American  officers  to  close  prison  in  N.  Y. — Ed.] 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


217 


May  28,  '77.  Washington  says  a  great  proportion  of  prisoners  sent 
out  by  British  are  not  fit  subjects  of  exchange,  and  being  made  so  by  the 
severity  of  their  treatment  and  confinement,  a  deduction  should  be  made. 

June  10,  '77.  Washington  says  (in  a  long  reply  to  Howe,)  he  gave 
clothing  to  British  prisoners ;  did  not  hear  of  the  sufferings  of  Ame- 
rican prisoners  till  too  late  ;  he  was  refused  a  procuring  agent  at  N.  Y. 
to  purchase  what  was  necessary  to  supply  the  prisoners'  wants. 

Nov.  14,  '77.  Washington  complains  to  Howe  of  cruelties  exercised 
on  American  prisoners,  without  Howe's  knowledge  or  approbation, 
proceeding  from  the  inhumanity  of  Mr.  Cunningham,  Provost  Marshal. 

Nov.  23,  '77.  Washington  threatens  retaliation,  if  Howe  does  not 
accede  to  his  letter  of  Nov.  14,  '77,  and  was  about  giving  orders  to 
Boudinot,  when  he  received  Howe's  letter  of  Nov.  27. 

Mrs.  White  left  N.  Y.,  Jan.  20,  '77,  says  Bridewell,  College, 
New  Jail,  Baptist  Meeting,  and  the  tavern  lately  occupied  by  Mr. 
De  la  Montaigne,  and  several  other  houses,  are  filled  with  sick  and 
wounded  of  the  enemy.  Gen.  Lee  was  under  guard,  in  a  small 
mean-looking  house,  at  the  bottom  of  Kings  street.       Jour.  789. 

Wm.  Slade  says  800  prisoners  taken  at  Ft.  Washington  and 
Lee,  were  put  in  the  North  hurch.  Dec^lst,  300  were  taken  from 
the  church  to  the  prison  ship.  Dec.  2d,  he  with  others  was  march- 
ed to  the  Grosvenor  transport  in  the  N.  River  ;  500  were  crowded 
on  board  ;  he  had  to  lay  down  before  sunset  to  secure  a  place. 

Trumbull  Papers,  VII.  135. 

Henry  Franklin  affirms,  Jan.  16,  '77,  that  about  tw7o  days  after 
the  taking  of  Fort  Washington,  he  was  in  N.  Y.,  and  went  to  the 
North  Church,  in  which  were  about  800  prisoners  taken  in  said  Fort. 
He  inquired  into  their  treatment,  and  they  told  him  they  fared  hard 
on  account  both  of  provisions  and  lodging,  for  they  were  not  allowed 
any  bedding  or  blankets,  and  the  provision  not  been  regularly  dealt 
out,  the  modest  and  backward  could  get  little  or  none,  nor  had  they 
been  allowed  any  fuel  to  dress  their  victuals.  The  prisoners  in 
N.  Y.  were  very  sickly,  and  died  in  considerable  numbers. 

Cor.  411. 

Joshua  Loring,  Commissary  of  prisoners,  says,  but  little  pro- 
visions had  been  sent  in  by  the  rebels  for  their  prisoners. 

Feb.  11,  '77. 


218 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


Forty-six  prisoners  from  the  Glasgow,  transport  ship,  were  land- 
ed at  N.  Haven,  where  Capt.  Craige  died,  and  was  buried.  Their 
names  are  published  in  Con't  Courant.  March  7,  '77. 

Ap.  30,  '77.  Con't  Assembly  sent  to  N. Y.  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
tow  shirts  and  trowsers  for  her  prisoners,  also  £35  to  Col.  Ethan 
Allen,  by  his  brother  Levi.  . 

Lt.  Thos.  Fanning,  now  on  parole  from  L.  I.  at  Norwich,  a  pri- 
soner to  Gen.  Howe,  will  be  at  Hartford  on  his  return  to  N.  Y., 
about  Sep.  8,  '77,  whence  he  proposes  to  keep  the  public  road  to 
Kings  bridge.  Letters  and  money  left  at  the  most  noted  public 
houses,  in  the  different  towns,  will  be  conveyed  safe  to  the  prisoners. 
Extraordinaries  excepted.  Conn.  Gaz.,Aug.  15,  '77. 

Jan.  4,  '77.  Prisoners  went  into  the  Sugar  House.  N.  Murray 
says  800  men  were  in  Bridewell.  The  doctor  gave  poison  powders  to 
prisoners,  who  soondied.  Some  were  sent  to  Honduras  to  cut  log- 
wood ;— women  came  to  the  prison  gate  to  sell  gingerbread. 

Trumbull  Papers,  IX.  203. 

A  flag  of  truce  vessel  arrived  at  Milford,  after  a  tedious  passage  of 
11  days,  from  N.  Y.,  having  above  200  prisoners*  whose  rueful 
countenances  too  well  discovered  the  ill  treatment  they  received 
while  in  N.  Y.  20  died  on  the  passage  and  20  since  they  landed, 
(names  of  sick  follow.)  N.  Haven,  Jan.  8,  '77. 

Dec.  1,  '77.  The  American  prisoners  on  L.  I.  were  on  account 
of  a  suspected  descent  on  that  place,  put  on  board  a  prison  ship  and 
detained  there  two  weeks.  A  boat  one  evening  happened  to  be 
fastened  to  the  vessel's  side.  The  chance  of  escaping  in  her  was 
immediately  suggested  by  Lts.  Forrest  and  Woodside,  but  previously 
they  stepped  between  decks,  for  some  papers  or  clothing  in  their 
trunks.  Meantime  Major  Jack  Stewart,  and  one  or  two  others 
[with  Lt.  Col.  Livingston  taken  at  Ft.  Montgomery,]  quietly  let 
themselves  down  into  the  boat,  cast  her  off,  and  let  her  drift  astern 
of  the  ship.  They  were  lucky  enough  to  get  clear  of  her  unper- 
ceived,  and  at  length  to  reach  the  Jersey  shore  in  safety,  notwith- 
standing their  elopement  was  soon  discovered.  It  being  dark,  pur- 
suit and  random  shot  were  unavailing.  The  disappointment  of  For- 
rest and  Woodside  was  extreme.  Graydon. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


219 


Memorandum  in  the  Provost  Jail,  N.  Y.,from  Ap.  23,  1777,  to 
Jan.  7,  1778,  by  John  Fell,  one  of  the  Council  for  N.  Jersey. 

Ap.  23.  Last  night  I  was  taken  prisoner  from  my  house  by  25 
armed  men,  who  brought  me  down  to  Col.  Buskirk's,  Bergen  Pt.,  and 
from  him  sent  to  Gen.  Pigot,  at  N.  Y.,  who  sent  me  with  Capt.  Van 
Allen  to  the  Provost  jail. 

24.  Received  from  Mrs.  Curson,  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Amiel,  $16, 
2  shirts,  2  stocks,  some  tea,  sugar,  pepper,  towels,  tobacco,  pipes,  paper, 
and  a  bed  and  bedding. 

May  1.  Dr.  Lewis  Antle  and  Capt.  Thos.  Colden  (his  son-in-law?) 
at  the  door — refused  admittance. 

2.  6,  10  m.  p.  m.  ,  died  John  Thomas,  Esq.,  of  small-pox,  aged  70  ; 
inoculated. 

5.    Capt.  Colden  has  brought  from  Mr.  Curson,  $16. 
11.    Dr.  Antle  came  to  visit  me  ;  Nero  (his  slave?)  at  the  door. 
13.    Cold  weather. 

20.  Lewis  Pintard  came  per  order  of  Elias  Boudinot  to  offer  me 
money  ;  refused  admittance.    Capt.  Colden  came  to  visit  me. 

21.  Capt.  and  Mrs.  Corne  came  to  visit  me,  and  I  was  called  down 
stairs  to  see  them. 

23.  Lewis  Pintard  came  as  Commissary  to  take  account  of  officers 
in  order  to  assist  them  with  money. 

24.  Every  person  refused  admittance  to  the  Provost. 

25.  All  prisoners  paraded  in  the  hall,  supposed  to  look  for  deserters. 
27.    Rev.  Mr.  Hart  and  Col.  Smith  brought  to  Provost  from  L.  I. 

29.  Stormy  in  Provost. 

30.  Not  allowed  to  fetch  good  water. 

31.  Bad  water  ;  proposed  buying  tea  water,  but  refused.  This  night 
10  prisoners  from  opposite  room  ordered  into  ours  ;  in  all  20. 

June  1.    Continued  same  to-day. 

2.  The  people  ordered  back  to  their  own  room. 

3.  Capt.  Van  Zandt  sent  to  dungeon  for  resenting  Capt.  Cunning- 
ham's abusing  and  insulting  me. 

4.  Capt.  Adams  brought  in  our  room ;  at  9  p.  m.  candles  ordered 
out. 

7.  Capt.  Van  Zandt  returned  from  dungeon. 

8.  All  prisoners  paraded  and  called  over,  and  delivered  to  care  of 
Sergeant  Keath,  (O'Keefe  ?)  and  told  we  were  all  alike.  No  distinction 
to  be  made. 

10.    Prisoners  very  sickly. 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


11.  Mr.  Richards  from  Conn,  exchanged. 

12.  Exceeding  strict  and  severe — "  out  lights." 

13.  Melancholy  scene,  women  refused  speaking  to  their  sick  hus- 
bands, and  treated  cruelly  by  sentries. 

14.  Mr.  Jas.  Ferris  released  on  parole  ;  people  in  jail  very  sickly, 
and  not  allowed  a  doctor. 

17.  Capt.  Corne  came  to  speak  to  me — not  allowed. 

18.  Letter  from  prisoners  to  Sergeant  Keath,  requesting  more  privi- 
leges. 

19.  Received  6  bottles  claret  and  sundry  small  articles,  but  the  note 
not  allowed  to  come  up. 

20.  Memorandum  sent  by  prisoners  to  General  Pigot  with  list  of 
grievances. 

21.  Ans.  Grant  no  requests  made  by  prisoners. 

22.  Mrs.  Banta  refused  speaking  to  her  son. 

23.  Mr.  Haight  died. 

24.  19  prisoners  from  Brunswick  ;  18  sent  to  Sugar  House. 

25.  Dr.  Bard  came  to  visit  Justice  Moore,  but  his  wife  was  refused 
though  her  husband  was  dying. 

26.  Justice  Moore  died  and  was  carried  out. 

27.  Several  sick  people  removed  below. 
30.    Provost  very  sickly,  and  several  die. 

July  3.    Received  from  Mrs.  Curson  per  Mrs.  Marrener,  2  half  Joes. 

6.  Received  of  Elias  Boudinot  per  Pintard,  10  half  Joes. 

7.  Capt.  Thos.  Colden  came  to  the  grates  to  see  me. 

9.    2  men  carried  out  to  be  hung  for  desertion,  reprieved. 
11.    Mr.  Langdon  brought  into  our  room. 

13.  The  Sergeant  removed  a  number  of  prisoners  from  below. 

14.  Messrs.  Demarests  exchanged.  Dr.  Romaine  ordered  to  visit  sick. 

15.  A  declaration  of  more  privileges,  and  prisoners  allowed  to  speak 
at  the  windows. 

17.  Peter  Zabriskie  had  an  order  to  speak  with  me  and  let  me  know 
that  all  was  well  at  home. 

19.  Sergeant  from  Sugar  House  came  to  take  account  of  affairs  in 
Provost.    Capt.  Cunningham  in  town. 

21.  Sergeant  took  another  account  of  officers.  Capt.  Jas.  Lowry 
died. 

22.  Mr.  Miller  died.    Capt.  Lowry  buried. 
Aug.  1.    Very  sick — weather  very  hot. 

5.  Barry  sent  to  dungeon  for  bringing  rum  for  Mr.  Philips  without 
leave  of  Sergeant.    Every  thing  looks  stormy. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


221 


6.  Warm  weather — growing  better.  Mr.  Pintard  came  to  supply 
prisoners  of  war  with  clothes. 

10.  2  prisoners  from  L.  I.,  and  4  Lawrences  from  near  Tappan. 

11.  John  Coven  Cromwell  from  White  Plains.  Freeland  from  Pol- 
ly ?  Fly  whipped  about  salt. 

12.  Sergeant  Keath  took  all  pens  and  ink  out  of  each  room,  and  for- 
bid the  use  of  any  on  pain  of  dungeon. 

13.  Abm.  Miller  discharged. 

14.  Jacobus  Blauvelt  died  in  morning — buried  at  noon. 

16.  Capt.  Ed.  Travis  brought  in  our  room  from  dungeon,  where  he 
has  long  been  confined  and  cruelly  treated. 

17.  Mr.  Keath  refused  me  liberty  to  send  a  card  to  Mr.  Amiel  for 
pound  of  tobacco. 

21.  Capt.  Hyer  discharged  from  Provost. 

25.  Berry  brought  up  from  dungeon,  and  Capt.  Travis  sent  down 
again  without  any  provocation. 

26.  Badcock  sent  to  dungeon  for  cutting  wood  in  evening.  Locks 
put  on  all  the  doors  and  threatened  to  be  locked  up.  Col.  Ethan  Allen 
brought  to  Provost  from  L.  I.,  and  confined  below. 

27.  Badcock  discharged  from  below. 

30.  5  p.  m.,  all  rooms  locked  up  close. 

31.  a.  m.,  Col.  Allen  brought  in  our  room. 
Sep.  1.    Pleasant  weather — bad  water. 

4.    Horrid  scenes  of  whipping. 

6.  Lewis  Pintard  brought  some  money  for  officers,  p.  m.,  Major 
Otho  H.  Williams  brought  from  L.  I.,  and  confined  in  our  room,  Major 
Wells,  from  same  place,  confined  below,  a.  m.,  Wm.  Lawrence  of 
Tappan  died. 

8.  Campbell,  Taylor,  John  Cromwell,  and  Buchanan  from  Phila- 
delphia, discharged. 

10.    Provisions  exceeding  ordinary — pork  very  rusty,  biscuit  bad. 

12.  Capt.  Travis,  Capt.  Chatham,  and  others,  brought  out  of  dun- 
geon. 

14.  2  prisoners  from  Jersey,  viz. :  Thos.  Canfield  of  Newark,  and 
Jeralemon. 

16.  Troops  returned  from  Jersey.  Several  prisoners  brought  to  Pro- 
vost, viz. :  Capt.  Varick,  Wm.  Prevost,  Brower,  &c. 

1 7.  Prisoners  from  L.  I. 

22.  Nothing  material.  Major  Wells  brought  from  below  up  stairs. 
24.    Received  from  Mr.  Curson  per  Mr.  Amiel,  4  guineas,  6  bottles 

wine,  and  1  lb.  tobacco. 


222 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


26.  Mr.  Pintard  carried  list  of  prisoners  and  account  of  grievances 
to  the  general.   Capt.  Chatham  and  others  carried  to  dungeon. 

28.  Yesterday  number  of  soldiers  sent  below,  and  several  prisoners 
brought  out  of  dungeon.  State  of  grievances  presented  to  Gen.  Jones, 
which  much  displeased  Sergeant,  who  threatened  to  lock  up  rooms. 

29.  Last  night  Sergeant  locked  up  all  the  rooms.  Rev.  Mr.  James 
Sears  admitted  up  stairs. 

30.  Sent  Mr.  Pintard  list  of  clothing  wanted  per  continental  and 
state  prisoners  in  Provost.    Sergeant  locks  up  all  the  rooms. 

Oct.  2.    Candles  ordered  out  at  8 — not  locked  up. 

4.  Locked  up.  Great  number  of  ships  went  up  N.  River.  Received 
sundries  from  Grove  Bend — 3  pair  ribbed  hose,  3  towels. 

5.  Garret  Miller  of  Smith's  Clove  signed  his  will  in  prison,  in  pre- 
sence of  Benj.  Goldsmith,  Abr.  Skinner,  and  myself. 

6.  G.  Miller  died  of  small-pox — p.  m.  buried. 

7.  Wm.  Prevost  discharged  from  Provost. 

8.  Capt.  Chatham  and  Lewis  Thitcher  brought  out  of  dungeon. 

10.  Mr.  Pintard  sent  up  blankets,  shoes,  and  stockings  for  pri- 
soners. 

11.  Several  prisoners  from  N.  River. 

12.  Lt.  Col.  Livingston  and  upwards  of  20  officers  from  Ft.  Mont- 
gomery and  Clinton,  all  below. 

13.  Received  from  Mr.  Pintard  a  letter  by  flag  from  Peter  R.  Fell. 
a.  m.  Mr.  Noble  came  to  the  grates  to  speak  to  me. 

14.  Sergeant  Keath  sent  Lt.  Mercer  and  Mr.  Nalhl.  Fitzrandolph 
to  the  dungeon  for  complaining  their  room  had  not  water  sufficient. 

15.  Mr.  Pintard  brought  sundry  articles  for  prisoners. 

17.    Mr.  Antonio  and  other  prisoners  brought  here  from  up  N.  River. 
19.    Ben.  Goldsmith  ill  of  small-pox,  made  his  will  and  gave  it  to 
me.    Died  2  a.  m.,  Oct.  20. 

21.  Glorious  news  from  Northward. 

22.  Confirmation  strong  as  Holy  Writ.  Beef,  loaf-bread  and  butter, 
drawn  to-day. 

23.  Weather  continues  very  cold  ;  ice  in  the  tub  in  hall.  Number 
of  vessels  came  down  North  River.  Mr.  Wm.  Bayard  at  the  door  to 
take  out  old  Mr.  Morris. 

24.  Prisoners  from  Sugar  House  sent  on  board  ships. 

25.  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  admitted  on  parole  in  the  city.  Serg.  Woolley 
from  Sugar  House  came  to  take  names  of  officers,  and  says  an  exchange 
is  expected. 

28.    Last  night  and  to-day  storm  continues  very  severe.  Provost 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


223 


in  a  terrible  condition.    Lt.  Col.  Livingston  admitted  up  stairs  a  few 
minutes. 

Nov.  1. — Lt.  Callender  of  the  train  ordered  back  on  L.  I. ;  also 
several  officers  taken  at  Ft.  Montgomery  sent  on  parole  to  L  I. 

3.  In  evening  my  daughter  Eliz.  Colden  came  to  see  me,  accompa- 
nied by  Mayor  Matthews. 

5.  E.  Colden  came  to  let  me  know  she  was  going  out  of  town. 
Yesterday  Sergeant  refused  her  liberty  of  speaking  to  me.  Gen.  Ro- 
bertson's Aid-de-camp  came  to  inquire  into  grievances  of  prisoners. 

16.  Jail  exceeding  disagreeable — many  miserable  and  shocking  ob- 
jects nearly  starved  with  cold  and  hunger — miserable  prospect  before  us. 

18.  Town  Major  and  Town  Adjutant  came  with  a  pretence  of  view- 
ing jail. 

19.  Peter  and  Cor.  Van  Tassel,  two  prisoners  from  Tarrytown  in 
our  room. 

20.  Mr.  Pintard  sent  three  barrels  of  flour  to  be  distributed  among 
prisoners. 

21.  Mr.  Pintard  came  for  account  of  what  clothing  prisoners  wanted. 

24.  Six  tailors  brought  here  from  prison  ship  to  work  in  making 
clothes  for  prisoners.  They  say  people  on  board  very  sickly  ;  300  sent 
on  board  reduced  to  100. 

25.  Mr.  Dean  and  others  brought  to  jail  from  the  town. 

26.  Dean  locked  up  by  himself,  and  Mr.  Forman  brought  up  stairs 
attended  by  Rev.  Mr.  Inglis,  and  afterwards  ordered  down  stairs.  New 
order — one  of  prisoners  ordered  to  go  to  commissary's  and  see  provi- 
sions dealt  out  for  prisoners.  Vast  number  of  people  assembled  at  Pro- 
vost in  expectation  of  seeing  an  execution. 

27.  John,  the  milkman,  locked  up  stairs  with  sentry  at  his  door. 
A  report  by  Mr.  Webb  that  a  prisoner,  Herring,  was  come  down  to  be 
exchanged  for  Mr.  Van  Zandt  or  me. 

30.    Capt.  Cunningham  came  to  Provost. 
Dec.  1.    Capt.  Money  came  down  with  Mr.  Webb  to  be  exchanged 
for  Major  Wells. 

2.  Col.  Butler  visited  Provost,  and  promised  a  doctor  should  at- 
tend. Received  from  Mr.  Bend  cloth  for  a  great  coat,  &c.  Mr.  Pin- 
tard took  list  of  clothing  wanting  for  prisoners. 

3.  Several  prisoners  of  war  sent  from  here  on  board  prison  ship, 
and  some  of  sick  sent  to  hospital.  Dr.  Romaine  being  ordered  by  Sir  H. 
Clinton  to  examine  the  sick.  Prisoners  sickly  ;  cause,  cold.  Prisoners 
scanty  clothing  in  upper  rooms,  and  only  two  bushels  coal  for  a  room 
of  20  men,  a  week. 


224 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


5.  Mr.  Blanch  ordered  out ;  said  to  be  to  go  to  Morris  Town  to 
get  prisoners  exchanged.  Cold. 

7.  Mr.  Webb  came  to  acquaint  Major  Wells  his  exchange  was 
agreed  to  with  Capt.  Money. 

8.  Maj.  Gen.  Robertson  with  Mayor,  came  to  Provost  to  examine 
prison.  I  was  called  and  examined,  and  requested  my  parole.  Gen. 
said  I  had  made  bad  use  of  indulgence  granted  me,  in  letting  my  daugh- 
ter come  to  see  me  ;  by  ordering  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Ruderford  con- 
fined. 

9.  Major  Wells  exchanged. 

10.  Mr.  Pintard  sent  100  loaves  for  prisoners,  a.  m.,  Walter 
Thurston  died.  Prisoners"  very  sick,  and  die  very  fast  from  hospitals 
and  prison  ships. 

11.  Some  flags  from  N.  River. 

13.  Abel  Wells  died — a  tailor  from  prison  ship. 

12.  Mr.  Pintard  brought  letters  for  sundry  people. 

14.  Sunday — guards  more  severe  than  ever,  notwithstanding  Gen. 
Robertson's  promise  of  more  indulgence.  Capt.  Van  Zandt  brought 
from  L.  I. 

16.  Sent  message  to  Mr.  Pintard  for  wood.  Cold,  and  entirely  out 
of  wood. 

17.  Commissary  Winslow  came  and  released  Major  Williams  on  his 
parole  on  L.  I. 

18.  Mr.  Pintard  sent  four  cords  wood  for  prisoners. 

19.  Capt.  John  Paul  Schoot  released  on  parole.  Mr.  Pintard  with 
clothing  for  the  people. 

21.  A  paper  found  at  door  of  Provost,  intimating  that  three  prison- 
ers had  a  rope  concealed  in  a  bag  in  one  of  the  rooms,  in  order  to  make 
their  escape.  The  Sergeant  examined  all  the  rooms,  and  at  night  we 
were  all  locked  up. 

22.  Received  from  Mr.  Pintard  100  loaves  bread  and  quarter  beef. 
24.    Distributed  clothing,  &c,  to  prisoners. 

28.  Gen.  Robertson  sent  a  doctor  to  examine  me  in  consequence  of 
the  petition  sent  by  Col.  Allen  for  my  releasement.  The  Dr.  reported 
to  Dr.  Mallet. 

29.  Gen.  Robertson  sent  me  word  I  should  be  liberated  in  town,  pro- 
vided I  procured  a  gentleman  in  town  to  be  responsible  for  my  appear- 
ance.   In  consequence  I  wrote  to  Hon.  H.  Wh  te,  Esq. 

30.  Dr.  Romaine,  with  whom  I  sent  the  letter,  said  Mr.  White  had 
a  number  of  objections,  but  the  Dr.  hoped  to  succeed  in  the  afternoon. 
Mr.  Winslow  came  and  told  me  the  same  story  I  heard  the  day  before. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


225 


31.  Sergeant  Keath  brought  a  message  from  the  General  to  the 
same  purpose  as  yesterday. 

N.  B.  I  lost  the  memorandum  from  this  date  to  the  time  of  my  be- 
ing liberated  from  Provost,  on  Jan.  7,  1778. 

N.  Y.,  Feb.  11,  1778.  Received  a  letter  from  Jos.  Loring,  Esq., 
Com.  of  Prisoners,  with  leave  from  Gen.  Robertson,  for  my  having  the 
bounds  of  the  city  allowed  me. 

Mar.  23.  Wrote  to  Maj.  Gen.  Robertson,  and  told  him  this  was 
the  eleventh  month  of  my  imprisonment. 

My  Note  to  General  Robertson  — (See  Journal  Dec.  28.) 
I  received  your  Excellency's  message  this  morning  per  Sergeant 
Keath,  respecting  the  condition  of  my  being  liberated  on  account  of  my 
ill  state  of  health.  If  your  Excellency  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  let  me 
out,  I  make  not  the  least  doubt  of  giving  you  all  the  satisfaction  you 
can  desire  ;  but  to  write  to  a  gentleman  whom  I  have  not  seen  for  up- 
wards of  two  years,  I  am  afraid  will  answer  no  end.  Therefore,  I  do 
most  earnestly  entreat  your  Excellency  to  grant  this  my  humble  request, 
and  give  orders  to  the  Sergeant  to  liberate  me  to  the  house  of  Mri. 
Marrener,  from  whence  I  can  have  an  opportunity  to  send  to  such  gen- 
tlemen as  I  think  will  satisfy  your  Excellency.  I  am,  Sec. 

Card  from  Gen.  Robertson. — (See  Journal  Dec.  29.) 
Gen.  Robertson  has  received  Mr.  Fell's  note  ;  finds  it  impossible  to 
comply  with  his  request  till  Mr.  Fell's  friends  give  him  sufficient  secu- 
rity that  he  will  not  attempt  to  escape.  A  Mr.  Langdon  having  broken 
his  faith  in  like  circumstances,  has  given  rise  to  a  rule,  which  it  is  out 
of  Gen.  Robertson's  power  to  dispense  with. 

My  Letter  to  Hon.  Henry  White,  Esq. — (See  Journal  Dec.  30.) 

Sir  : — Being  in  a  very  ill  state  of  health,  Gen.  Robertson,  on  ex- 
amination, has  consented  that  I  be  liberated  to  a  house  in  town  on  se- 
curity ;  for  which  purpose  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  request  that  you 
will  be  so  obliging  as  to  be  responsible  for  me.  I  conceive  it  a  happi- 
ness to  be  released  on  such  terms,  and  shall  esteem  your  friendship  as  a 
singular  favor.  On  your  appearing  at  the  General's,  I  may  be  permitted 
to  a  house  in  town.  I  am,  &c. 

Feb.  4,  1778.  I  delivered  Lewis  Pintard  the  wills  of  Garret  Miller 
and  Benj.  Goldsmith,  to  be  forwarded  to  their  respective  families.  Pre- 
sent, E.  Boudinot. 


226 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


May  20,  '78.  I  had  my  parole  extended  by  order  of  Gen.  Daniel 
Jones,  to  my  own  house  in  Bergen  county,  for  30  days.  June  20.  I 
left  home  and  arrived  at  Paulus  Hook,  Col.  Turnbull  not  being  at  home ; 
I  was  detained  till  night,  and  then  sent  with  an  officer  to  N.  Y.  to  Maj. 
Gen.  Val.  Jones,  who  ordered  me  to  wait  on  Commissary  Winslow  next 
morning,  who  waited  on  Gen.  Dan'l  Jones,  and  by  his  order  I  was  de- 
tained in  town  till  July  1st,  when  the  Commissary  was  ordered  to  make 
out  my  parole,  not  to  return  till  sent  for.  July  2d  I  left  town,  and  next 
day  arrived  safe  home. 

Nov.  15.  I  received  from  Abm.  Skinner,  Dep.  Com.  of  Prisons,  a 
certificate  of  my  being  exchanged  for  Gov.  Skene.  Signed  by  Joshua 
Loring,  Com.  Gen.  of  Prisons,  dated  N.  Y.,  Oct.  26,  1778. 

The  following  persons  were  my  security  for  jCIOO  each,  being  de- 
manded by  Gen.  Robertson  on  my  release  from  Provost  to  lodgings  in 
N.  Y.,  on  my  parole.    Jan.  7,  1778. 

Lawrence  Kortright,  Henry  Haydock, 

Richard  Yates,  Jas.  Jauncey, 

St.  Skinner,  Henry  White, 

Dr.  McAdam,  John  Amiel, 

Wm.  Seton,  Grove  Bend. 

Grievances  that  the  Prisoners  are  under,  sent  to  Gen.  Jones  per 

Mr.  Pintard.—(See  Journal,  Sep.  26  and  28.) 
"  Close  confined  in  jail  without  distinction  of  rank  or  character, 
amongst  felons,  (a  number  of  whom  are  under  sentence  of  death,)  with- 
out their  friends  being  suffered  to  speak  to  them,  even  through  the 
grates.  On  the  scanty  allowance  of  2  lbs.  hard  biscuit  and  2  lbs.  raw 
pork  per  man  per  week,  without  fuel  to  dress  it.  Frequently  supplied 
with  water  from  a  pump  where  all  kinds  of  filth  is  thrown  that  can  ren- 
der it  obnoxious  and  unwholesome,  (the  effects  of  which  are  too  often 
felt,)  when  good  water  is  as  easily  obtained.  Denied  the  benefit  of 
a  hospital,  not  allowed  to  send  for  medicine,  nor  even  a  doctor  permit- 
ted to  visit  them  when  in  the  greatest  distress  ;  married  men  and  others 
who  lay  at  the  point  of  death,  refused  to  have  their  wives  or  relations 
admitted  to  see  them,  and  for  attempting  it  often  beat  from  the  prison. 
Commissioned  officers  and  other  persons  of  character,  without  a  cause, 
thrown  into  a  loathsome  dungeon,  insulted  in  a  gross  manner,  and 
vilely  abused  by  a  Provost  Marshal,  who  is  allowed  to  be  one  of  the  basest 
characters  in  the  British  army,  and  whose  power  is  so  unlimited,  that 
he  has  caned  an  officer  on  a  trivial  occasion,  and  frequently  beats  the 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


227 


sick  privates  when  unable  to  stand,  many  of  whom  are  daily  obliged  to 
enlist  in  the  New  Corps  to  prevent  perishing  for  want  of  the  necessaries 
of  life.  Neither  pen,  ink,  or  paper  allowed,  (to  prevent  their  treatment 
being  made  public,)  the  consequence  of  which,  indeed,  the  prisoners 
themselves  dread,  knowing  the  malignant  disposition  of  their  keeper. 

Gaine,  Jan.  5,  '78.  Nurses  wanted  immediately  to  attend  the 
prison  hospitals  in  this  city.  Good  recommendations  required,  signed 
by  two  respectable  inhabitants. 

LEWIS  PINTARD. 
The  Board  of  War  report,  Jan.  21,  '78,  that  there  are  900  pri- 
vates and  300  officers  in  N.  Y.,  and  that  the  privates  have  been 
crowded  all  summer  in  sugar-houses  and  the  officers  boarded  onL.L, 
except  about  30,  who  have  been  confined  in  the  provost-guard,  and 
in  most  loathsome  jails,  and  that  since  Oct.  1,  all  those  prisoners, 
both  officers  and  privates,  have  been  confined  in  prison,  prison-ships, 
or  the  Provost. 

Lists  of  prisoners  in  Provost,  Nov.  5,  '77  :  those  taken  by  the 
Falcon,  Dec.  '77  (see  638),  and  those  belonging  to  Conn.,  Jan.  '78, 
in  the  Quaker  and  Brick  Meeting  Hospitals,  may  be  found  in  the 
Trumbull  Papers,  VII,  170,  228,  258;  VIII,  62. 

"  Gen.  Lee,  on  receiving  $500,  which  he  drew  in  the  New-York 
Lottery,  immediately  distributed  it  among  the  American  prisoners. 
It  is  said  that  the  American  prisoners,  since  we  have  had  a  Commis- 
sary in  New-York,  are  well  served  with  good  provisions,  which  are 
furnished  at  the  expense  of  the  States,  and  are  in  general  very 
healthy.— -N.  London,  Feb.  20,  '78. 

May  6,  '78.  N.  J.  Gaz.  Col.  Miles,  Irvin,  and  50  more  prisoners 
exchanged.  Report  says,  of  3000  prisoners  taken  at  Ft.  Washington, 
only  800  are  now  living. 

Conn.  Gaz.,  July  10,  '78.  About  three  weeks  ago,  Rob't  Shef- 
field, of  Stonington,  made  his  escape  from  N.  Y.,  after  confinement 
on  board  a  prison-ship.  After  he  was  taken,  he  with  his  crew  (10) 
were  thrust  into  the  forepeak  and  put  in  irons.  On  their  arrival  at 
N.  Y.,  they  were  carried  on  board  a  prison-ship  and  to  the  hatchways, 
on  opening  which,  tell  not  of  Pandora's  Box,  for  that  must  be  an 
alabaster-box,  in  comparison  to  the  opening  of  these  hatches.  True 
there  were  gratings  but  they  kept  their  boats  upon  them.  The  steam 


228 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


of  the  hold  was  enough  to  scald  the  skin  and  take  away  the  hreath — 
the  stench  enough  to  poison  the  air  all  around.  On  his  descending 
these  dreary  mansions  of  woe,  and  beholding  the  numerous  spectacles 
of  wretchedness  and  despair,  his  soul  fainted  within  him.  A  little 
epitome  of  hell — about  350  men  confined  between  decks,  half  French- 
men. He  was  informed  there  were  three  more  of  these  vehicles  of 
contagion,  which  contained  a  like  number  of  miserable  Frenchmen 
also,  who  are  treated  worse  (if  possible)  than  Americans  ;  the  heat 
so  intense  (the  hot  sun  shining  all  day  on  deck)  that  they  were  all 
naked,  which  also  served  the  well  to  get  rid  of  vermin,  but  the  sick 
were  eaten  up  alive.  Their  sickly  countenances  and  ghastly  looks 
were  truly  horrible  ;  some  swearing  and  blaspheming  ;  some  crying, 
praying,  and  wringing  their  hands,  and  stalking  about  like  ghosts  ; 
others  delirious,  raving,  and  storming  ;  some  groaning  and  dying — 
all  panting  for  breath  ;  some  dead  and  corrupting — air  so  foul  at 
times  that  a  lamp  could  not  be  kept  burning,  by  reason  of  which  the 
boys  were  not  missed  till  they  had  been  dead  ten  days.  One  person 
only  admitted  on  deck  at  a  time  after  sunset,  which  occasions  much 
filth  to  run  into  the  hold  and  mingle  with  bilge-water,  which  was  not 
pumped  out  while  he  was  aboard,  notwithstanding  the  decks  were 
leaky,  and  the  prisoners  begged  permission  to  let  in  fresh  water  and 
pump  it  out  again.  While  Mr.  S.  was  on  board  (6  days)  5  or  6  died 
daily  and  3  of  his  people.  He  was  sent  for  on  shore  as  evidence  in 
a  court  of  admiralty  for  condemning  his  own  vessel  and  happily  es- 
caped. He  was  informed  in  N.  Y.  that  the  fresh  meat  sent  in  to  our 
prisoners  by  our  Commissary,  was  taken  by  the  men  of  war  for  their 
own  use.  This  he  can  say  :  he  did  not  see  any  aboard  the  ship  he 
was  in,  but  they  were  well  supplied  with  soft  bread  from  our  Com- 
missary on  shore.  But  the  provision  (be  it  what  it  will)  is  not  the 
complaint.  Fresh  air  and  fresh  water,  God's  free  gift,  is  all  their 
cry. 

July  31,  '78.  N.  London.  Last  week  500  or  600  American  pris- 
oners were  released  from  confinement  at  N.  Y.,  and  sent  out  chiefly 
by  way  of  N.  Jersey,  being  exchanged. 

N.  London,  Sep.  26,  '78.  All  American  prisoners  are  nearly 
sent  out  of  N.  Y.,  but  there  are  615  French  prisoners  still  there. 

Oct.  18,  '78.    Ship  Good  Hope  lies  in  the  North  River.] 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


229 


Dec.  14,  '78.  Gaine.  The  Jersey  hospital-ship  lies  at  Franklin, 
near  Tolmie's  Wharf,  E.  River. 

N.  London,  Dec.  18,  '78.  A  Flag  with  70  men  from  the  hor- 
rible prison-ships,  N.  Y.,  arrived  ;  30  very  sickly,  two  died  since  they 
arrived. 

N.  London,  Dec.  25,  '78.  A  cartel  arrived  here  from  N.  Y.  with 
172  American  prisoners.  They  were  landed  here  and  in  Groton — 
greater  part  sickly  and  in  most  deplorable  condition,  owing-  chiefly 
to  the  ill-usage  in  the  prison-ships,  where  numbers  had  their  feet 
and  legs  froze. 

Col.  Magaw,  Lt.  Col.  Kichline,  Nich's  Lutz,  Maj.  Aquilla  Giles, 
and  Lt.  Sam'l  Dodge,  who  went  home  on  parole,  are  ordered  back 
to  N.  Y.  by  Loring,  Oct  31,  '78.  Gaine,  Jan.  18,  '79. 

Jan.  15,  '79.  Riv.  Privateers  arriving  in  N.  Y.  Harbor  are  to 
put  their  prisoners  on  board  the  Good  Hope  or  Prince  of  Wales 
prison-ships.  J  AS.  DICK. 

Boston,  Feb.  4,  '79.  A  cartel  lately  brought  136  prisoners  from 
prison-ships  in  N.  Y.  to  N.  London.  Such  was  the  condition  in 
which  these  poor  creatures  were  put  aboard  the  cartel,  that  in  this 
short  run,  16  died  on  board  ;  and  60,  when  they  landed,  were  scarcely 
able  to  move,  and  the  remainder  greatly  emaciated.  The  greatest 
inhumanity  was  experienced  in  a  ship,  of  which  one  Nelson,  a 
Scotchman,  had  the  superintendence.  Upwards  of  300  were  con- 
fined at  a  time  on  board.  There  was  but  one  small  fireplace  to  cook 
the  food  of  such  a  number.  The  allowance  was  moreover  frequently 
delayed.  In  the  short  days  of  November  and  December,  it  was  not 
begun  to  be  delivered  out  till  11  A.  M.,  so  that  the  whole  could  not  be 
served  till  3.  At  sunset  the  fire  was  ordered  to  be  quenched,  so  that 
some  had  not  their  food  dressed  at  all ;  many  were  obliged  to  eat  it 
half  raw.  No  flour,  oatmeal,  and  things  of  like  nature,  suited  to  the 
condition  of  infirm  people,  were  allowed  to  the  many  sick — nothing 
but  ship-bread,  beef,  and  pork. 

N.  London,  June  16,  '79.  Our  prisoners  on  board  the  prison-ships 
suffer  beyond  description,  being  turned  down  in  great  numbers 
below  decks,  where  they  are  compelled  to  languish  in  stench  and 
dirt. 

11 


230 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


N.  Haven,  June  23,  '79.   200  prisoners  were  landed  in  N.  Jersey 
from  the  prison-ships. 

Sir  Geo.  Collier  forbids  privateers  landing  prisoners  on  L.  L,  to 
the  damage  and  annoyance  of  His  Majesty's  faithful  subjects.  Ju. 
29,  '79. 

Aug.  23,  '79.  To  be  sold,  the  sails  and  rigging  of  the  ship 
Good  Hope.    Masts,  spars,  and  yards,  good  as  new. 

Aug.  18,  '79.  Last  week,  5  or  600  American  prisoners  ex- 
changed. 

A  flag  returned  here  with  47  American  prisoners,  and  though 
taken  out  of  the  Good  Hope  prison-ship,  it  must  (for  once)  be  ac- 
knowledged, all  are  very  well  and  healthy  :  only  150  left.  Aug.  25, 
'79.  N.  London. 

N.  London,  Sep.  1,  '79.  D.  Stanton  was  taken,  June  5,  and 
put  in  the  Jersey  prison-ship.  An  allowance  from  Congress  was 
sent  aboard.  About  3  or  4  weeks  past,  we  were  removed  on  board 
the  Good  Hope,  where  we  found  many  sick.  There  is  now  a  hos- 
pital-ship provided,  to  which  they  are  removed,  and  good  attention 
paid. 

Returned  to  this  port,  Alex.  Dickey,  Commissary  of  Prisoners, 
from  N.  Y.,  with  a  cartel,  having  on  board  180  American  prisoners. 
Their  countenances  indicate  they  have  undergone  every  conceivable 
inhumanity.    Boston,  Sep.  2,  '79. 

New  London,  Sep.  29,  '79.  A  Flag  arrived  here  from  N.  Y., 
with  117  prisoners,  chiefly  from  N.  England. 

N.  J.  Gaz.,  Oct.  12,  '79.  Last  Wednesday  morning,  one  o'clock, 
9  Capts.,  among  them  Thos.  Dring  and  Jas.  Munroe,  and  2  privates 
made  their  escape  from  the  Good  Hope,  prison-ship,  in  the  N.  River. 
They  confined  the  Mate,  disarmed  the  sentinels,  and  hoisted  out  the 
boat  which  was  on  deck.  They  brought  off  9  stand  of  arms  and 
ammunition.  They  had  scarce  got  clear  before  the  alarm  was  given, 
when  they  were  fired  on  by  3  ships,  but  none  were  hurt,  Capt. 
Prince  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  commander  of  the  prison- 
ship,  Capt.  Nelson,  who  used  the  prisoners  with  a  great  deal  of  hu- 
manity. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


231 


N.  London,  Feb.  16,  '80.  15  prisoners  arrived  here,  who  three 
weeks  ago  escaped  from  the  prison-ship  in  the  E.  River.  A  num- 
ber of  others  escaped  about  the  same  time  from  the  same  ship,  some  0 
of  whom  being  frost  bitten  and  unable  to  endure  the  cold,  were  tak- 
en up  and  carried  back,  one  frozen  to  death '  before  he  reached  the 
shore. 

Riv.,  Mar.  8,  '80.  Last  Sunday  afternoon,  the  Good  Hope, 
prison-ship,  lying  in  the  Wallebocht  Bay,  was  entirely  consumed, 
after  having  been  wilfully  set  on  fire  by  a  Con't  man,  named  Wood- 
bury, who  confessed  the  fact.  He  with  others  of  the  incendiaries 
are  removed  to  the  Provost.  The  prisoners  let  each  other  down 
from  the  port-holes  and  decks  into  the  water. 

Col.  John  Ely  and  Capt.  EcL  Bulkley,  in  behalf  of  officers  pris- 
oners at  Flatbush,  petition  Gov.  Trumbull  for  hard  cash.  They  are 
in  debt  for  clothing  and  sickness  in  the  fall.  Their  board  has  been 
paid  to  May  last.  Ap.  24,  '80. 

I  am  now  a  prisoner  on  board  the  ship  Falmouth,  in  N.  Y.,  a 
place  the  most  dreadful ;  we  are  confined  so  that  we  have  not  room 
even  to  lie  down  all  at  once  to  sleep.  It  is  the  most  horrible  cursed 
hole  that  can  be  thought  of.  I  was  sick,  and  longed  for  some  small 
beer  while  I  lay  unpitied  at  death's  door,  with  a  putrid  fever,  and 
though  I  had  money,  I  was  not  permitted  to  send  for  it.  I  offered 
repeatedly  a  hard  dollar  for  a  pint.  The  wretch  who  went  forward 
and  backward  would  not  oblige  me.  I  am  just  able  to  creep  about. 
Four  prisoners  have  escaped  from  this  ship.  One  having,  as  by  ac- 
cident, thrown  his  hat  overboard,  begged  leave  to  go  after  it  in  a 
small  boat,  which  lay  alongside.  A  sentinel  with  only  his  side-arms 
on,  got  into  the  boat.  Having  reached  the  hat,  they  secured  the 
sentinel  and  made  for  the  Jersey  shore,  though  several  armed  boats 
pursued,  and  shot  was  fired  from  the  shipping. 

Con.  Gaz.,  May,  25,  '80. 

Two  young  men,  brothers,  belonging  to  a  rifle  corps,  were  made 
prisoners,  and  sent  on  board  the  Jersey.  Trie  elder  took  the  fever, 
and  in  a  few  days  became  delirious.  One  night  (his  end  was  fast 
approaching)  he  became  calm  and  sensible,  and  lamenting  his  hard 
fate,  and  the  absence  of  his  mother,  begged  for  a  little  water.  His 
brother,  with  tears  entreated  the  guard  to  give  him  some,  but  in 


232  INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 

vain.  The  sick  youth  was  soon  in  his  last  struggles,  when  his  bro- 
ther offered  the  guard  a  guinea,  for  an  inch  of  candle,  only  that  he 
might  see  him  die.  Even  this  was  refused.  "  Now,"  said  he,  dry- 
ing up  his  tears,  "  if  it  please  God  that  I  ever  regain  my  liberty,  I'll 
be  a  most  bitter  enemy  !"  He  regained  his  liberty,  rejoined  the 
army,  and  when  the  war  ended,  he  had  8  large,  and  127  small 
notches  on  his  rifle  stock ! — Capt.  Talbot  was  removed  to  the 
Provost  or  Jail,  where  he  was  locked  up  in  a  small  room  with  30 
prisoners.  The  dog  in  office,  Cunningham,  when  Capt.  T.  and  his 
fellow  prisoners  entered  the  prison,  and  gave  in  their  names,  abused 
and  insulted  them  with  the  most  indecent  language.    "  Yes,  I  knew 

your  family  well ;  your  mother  or  sister  has  been  my  w  e  many 

a  good  time."    To  another,  "  Was  not  your  brother  in  the  rebel 

army  ?    Aye,  I  thought  as  much.    The  d  d  Yankee  was  hung 

as  a  spy  a  few  days  since."  The  prisoners  on  board  the  Strombolo, 
in  the  N.  River,  having  been  irritated  by  ill  treatment  to  rise  one 
night  on  their  guard,  several  in  attempting  to  escape,  were  either 
killed  or  wounded.  A  poor  fellow  lying  on  deck  almost  exhausted 
by  a  mortal  wound,  begged  of  the  Captain  "  for  God's  sake  a  little 
water,  for  he  was  dying."    The  Capt.  applied  a  light  to  his  face, 

and  exclaimed, "  What !  is  it  you,  d  n  you  !  take  that,  you  d  d 

rebel  rascal !"  and  dashed  his  foot  in  the  face  of  the  dying  man. 

Life  of  Silas  Talbot,  127. 
N.  J.  Gaz.,  June  4,  '80.    35  Americans,  including  five  officers, 
made  their  escape  from  the  prison-ship  at  N.  Y.,  and  got  safely  off. 

Gaine,  July  1,  '80.  For  sale,  the  remains  of  the  Hospital  prison- 
ship,  Kitty,  as  they  now  lie  at  the  Wallebocht,  with  launch,  anchors 
and  cables. 

N.  Haven,  July  20,  '80.  Only  three  marine  prisoners,  'tis  said, 
in  N.  Y. 

N.  J.  Gaz.,  Aug.  23,  '80.  Capt.  Grinnel,  who  made  his  escape 
from  the  Scorpion  prison-ship,  at  N.  Y.,  on  the  evening  of  the  15th, 
says :  More  lenity  is  shown  the  prisoners.  There  are  200  in  the 
Strombolo,  and  120  in  the  Scorpion. 

Freneau,  sailor  and  poet,  was  confined  in  the  Scorpion  in  the 
N.  River,  1780,  with  300  prisoners,  and  has  given  a  poetical  account 
of  his  treatment. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW- YORK. 


233 


Chatham,  N.  J.,  Nov.  8,  '80.  Forty  of  our  officers,  and  150 
privates  (prisoners  with  the  enemy)  were  exchanged  at  Elizabeth- 
Town. 

Riv.,  Dec.  6,  '80.  For  sale,  the  hulls  of  his  Majesty's  sloops 
Scorpion  and  Hunter  ;  and  of  the  Strombolo  fire-ship,  now  lying  in 
N.  River,  by  order  of  the  Naval  Storekeeper.    [Not  sold]. 

Washington's  Letters  on  Treatment  of  Prisoners. — Sparks. 

Nov.  23,  '79.  W.  says  the  treatment  of  prisoners  is  more  within 
the  line  of  humanity  under  Clinton. 

Ap.  14,  '79.  Commissioners  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  met  at 
Amboy,  but  disagreed.  They  then  tried  a  partial  cartel  for  American 
officers,  prisoners  on  L.  I. 

Jan.  4,  '80.  Cols.  Magaw,  Ely,  Matthews  and  Ramsay,  (yet  pris- 
oners at  N.  Y.)  came  out  on  parole  with  new  propositions  of  exchange. 

July  10,  '80.  W.  says,  exchanges  of  prisoners,  though  urged  by  hu- 
manity, is  not  politic.  It  would  give  force  to  the  British,  and  add  but 
little  to  our  own.  Few  of  the  American  prisoners  belong  to  the  army, 
and  the  enlistment  of  those  who  do,  is  nearly  expired. 

Before  Nov.  7,  '80, 140  officers  and  all  American  prisoners,  in  N.  Y. 
(476)  are  exchanged. 

Jan.  25,  '81.  W.  writes  to  Arbuthnot,  that  the  American  naval 
prisoners  in  N.  Y.,  suffer  all  extremities  of  distress,  from  too  crowded, 
disagreeable  and  unwholesome  situation  in  prison-ships,  and  want  of 
food  and  other  necessaries.  He  wants  a  permit  for  an  American  officer 
to  visit  them. 

Ap.  21,  '81.  Arbuthnot  replies,  he  has  ordered  a  scrutiny  into  the 
conduct  of  all  concerned  in  victualling  and  treatment  of  prisoners,  and 
assures  Washington  their  testimony  is  true. 

Aug.  21.  '81.  W.  complains  to  the  British  Commanding  officer,  at 
N.  Y.,  of  the  inadequacy  of  room  in  prison-ships,  there  is  room  on 
shore,  wishes  an  agent  may  be  allowed  to  visit  prison-ships,  and  report. 

Aug.  30,  '81.  Capt.  Affleck  replies  that  he  feels  for  the  distress  of 
prisoners,  and  has  endeavored  to  regulate  the  Hospital  and  prison-ships. 
Tables  of  Diet  are  affixed  ;  officers  visit  weekly,  redress  and  report 
grievances  ;  their  numbers  are  thinned,  when  shipping  can  be  provided, 
an  American  officer  may  witness  the  treatment  of  prisoners,  but  they 
can't  be  confined  on  shore. 

Dec.  27,  '81,  and  Mar.  '82.  W.  says,  for  above  two  years  past  no 
complaints  have  been  made  of  treatment  of  land  prisoners  in  N.  Y. 


234 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


The  suffering  of  seamen  for  some  time  past  arises  mostly  from  the  want 
of  a  general  regulation,  that  no  American  privateers  should  set  their 
prisoners  free ;  whereas  now  the  British  prisoners  enter  the  American 
service,  or  are  allowed  to  escape,  so  that  the  balance  of  prisoners  is 
against  the  Americans. 

Feb.  18,  '82.  W.  declines  Sproat's  proposition  to  exchange  British 
soldiers  for  American  seamen,  as  it  will  give  the  British  considerable 
reinforcement,  and  be  a  constant  draft  hereafter  on  prisoners  of  war  in 
our  hands.  Few  or  none  of  the  naval  prisoners  in  N.  Y.  belong  to  the 
Continental  service.  Captains  of  all  vessels,  public  and  private,  should 
throw  their  prisoners  into  common  stock  under  the  direction  of  a  Com- 
missary General  of  prisoners  ;  as  it  is  now,  the  greater  part  is  dispersed, 
and  there  are  few  to  exchange  for  British  prisoners. 

Geo.  Batterman,  who  had  been  prisoner  on  board  the  prison-ship  at 
N.  Y.,  deposes  that  he  had  8  oz.  of  condemned  bread  per  day,  and  8  oz.  of 
meat.  He  was  afterwards  put  on  board  the  Jersey,  where  were  (as  was 
supposed)  1,100  prisoners  ;  recruiting  officers  came  on  board,  and  find- 
ing American  officers  persuaded  the  men  not  to  enlist,  removed  them 
(as  he  was  told)  to  the  Provost.  The  prisoners  were  tempted  to  enlist 
to  free  themselves  from  confinement,  hopeless  of  exchange.  Dec,  5, 
prisoners  had  a  pint  of  water  for  the  day,  and  sick  not  sent  to  the 
hospital  ship,  till  they  were  so  weak  and  ill,  that  they  often  expired  be- 
fore they  got  out  of  the  Jersey.  The  commanding  officer  said  his  or- 
ders were,  if  the  ship  took  fire  we  should  be  all  turned  below  and  perish 
in  the  flames.  By  accident  the  ship  took  fire  in  the  steward's  room, 
when  the  Hessian  guards  were  ordered  to  drive  the  prisoners  below,  and 
fire  among  them  if  they  resisted  or  got  in  the  water. 

Riv.,  Dec.  19,  '80. 

Riv.,  Feb.  7,  '81.  Sproat  writes  to  Skinner,  that  very  many  prisoners 
on  board  the  Jersey  are  sick  and  dying,  but  their  disorders  proceed  only 
from  dirt,  nastiness,  and  want  of  clothing.  On  the  first  complaint  made 
about  provisions,  I  went  on  board  the  prison-ship,  wrote  down  in  large - 
hand  on  a  folio  sheet,  the  quantity  of  each  kind  of  provisions  allowed  to 
prisoners,  and  caused  it  to  be  posted  up  in  the  most  public  place  in  the  ves- 
sel, that  each  prisoner  might  get  his  full  quantity:  and  I  ordered  when  a 
cask  of  provisions  was  damaged,  it  should  be  headed  up  and  not  served 
out.  When  I  was  appointed  Commissary,  Oct.  13,  '79,  I  examined 
into  the  state  of  the  prisoners  and  prison-ships  and  reported  to  Ad.  Arbuth- 
not,  who  ordered  me  to  make  every  necessary  regulation  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  prisoners.    Accordingly  carpenters  ran  a  bulkhead 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


235 


across  the  prison-ship  Good  Hope  ;  the  officers  berthed  abaft  and  the  men 
before  this  partition.  Two  excellent  large  stoves  were  erected,  one  for 
the  officers,  another  for  the  men.  The  hospital  ship  was  equipped  in 
the  same  manner,  and  every  sick  or  wounded  person  had  a  cradle,  bed- 
ding, surgeons.  In  this  comfortable  situation  did  the  prisoners  remain  till 
March  5,  '80,  when  they  wilfully  burnt  the  best  prison-ship  in  the  world. 
The  perpetrators  were  not  hanged,  but  ordered  to  the  Provost,  (see  p.  231). 
The  ship  lay  in  the  Wallebocht,  near  a  number  of  transports,  whose 
people  were  so  alert  in  snatching  the  prisoners  from  the  flames,  that  but 
two  out  of  some  hundreds  were  missing.  They  were  put  in  the  nearest 
ship  the  Woodlands,  where  they  remained  a  short  time  till  the  ships  Strom- 
bolo  and  Scorpion  were  got  ready.  The  officers  were  always  admitted 
to  parole  in  that  pleasant  village,  Jamaica,  till  July  10,  '80,  when  many 
of  them  had  broke  their  paroles  and  otherwise  behaved  so  ill,  that  it  was 
refused  them.  This  alteration  had  not  taken  place  above  two  months  when 
the  prisoners  were  ail  moved  to  the  ship  Jersey,  where  there  is  a  variety 
of  apartments  for  officers,  and  plenty  of  room  between  decks  for  men.  I 
have  offered  to  exchange  prisoners  man  for  man,  but  if  Congress  retaliate, 
it  will  only  hurry  on  the  miseries  of  the  American  prisoners  faster  than 
Congress  are  aware  of,  and  in  a  short  time  put  the  honor  of  every  man 
to  the  test  who  is  out  on  parole.  Eiv.,  Jan.  29,  '81. 

Peter  Robinson,  acting  purser  of  His  Majesty's  prison-ship,  the 
Jersey,  maketh  oath,  that  he  has  acted  as  purser,  during  the  time  she 
has  been  employed  as  a  prison-ship,  and  that  the  allowance  to  each  pris- 
oner for  one  week  is  66  oz.  of  bread,  43  oz.  of  beef,  92  oz.  pork,  1  %  pint 
of  peas,  2  pints  of  oatmeal,  and  8  oz.  butter,  which  quantity  of  provi- 
sions hath  been  and  still  is  served  out  to  each  prisoner  (by  daily  allow- 
ances; every  week,  without  any  deduction,  for  eighths  or  otherwise,  and 
that  such  provisions  have  always  been  the  same  in  goodness  and  quality, 
as  were  supplied  to  the  crews  of  His  Majesty's  said  hospital  ship,  and 
the  other  King's  ships  on  the  American  station.      Gaine,  Feb.  12,  '81. 

Jeremiah  Downer  maketh  oath,  that  he  commanded  His  Maje«:y's 
prison-ship  the  Strombolo,  in  the  harbor  of  N.  Y.,  from  Aug.  21,  to  Dec. 
10,  1780,  (provisions  as  above,)  and  that  the  number  of  prisoners  con- 
fined on  board,  was  never  less  than  150  at  one  time,  and  frequently 
above  200:  and  only  one  died  in  that  time.  Gaine,  Feb.  12,  '81. 

The  Jersey  was  a  large  and  roomy  vessel,  once  had  carried  64 
guns,  but  now  was  stripped  and  reduced  to  a  naked  hulk.  All  her 
ports  were  close  shut,  which  prevented  any  current  of  air  between 


236 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


decks,  where  the  prisoners  were  all  shut  down  from  sunset  to  sunrise, 
and  during  these  melancholy  hours  all  intercource  with  the  upper 
deck  was  prohibited.  The  guards  were  forbid  on  pain  of  severe  pun- 
ishment, to  relieve  the  wants  of  any  distressed  prisoner.  She  was 
anchored  in  a  solitary  nook,  called  the  Wallebocht,  where  at  low 
water  her  rotten  remains  are  still  to  be  seen,  1803.  At  the  time  1 
was  on  board,  there  were  about  1,100  prisoners,  no  berths  to  lie  in,  or 
benches  to  sit  on  ;  many  almost  without  clothes.  Dysentery,  fever, 
pleurisy,  and  despair  prevailed.  The  scantiness  and  bad  quality  of 
provisions,  the  brutality  of  the  guards,  and  the  sick  pining  for  com- 
forts they  could  not  obtain,  altogether  furnished  the  greatest  scene 
of  human  distress  ever  beheld.  The  weather  was  cool  and  dry,  the 
nights  frosty,  so  that  the  number  of  deaths  were  reduced  to  an 
average  of  10  per  day,  which  was  small  compared  with  the  mortality 
for  three  months  before.  The  human  bones  and  skulls  yet  bleach- 
ing on  the  shore  of  L.  L,  and  daily  exposed  by  the  falling  down  of 
the  high  bank,  on  which  the  prisoners  were  buried,  is  a  shock- 
ing sight.  Talbot,  p.  106. 

I  was  one  of  the  850  souls  confined  in  the  Jersey,  in  the  summer 
of  '81,  and  witnessed  several  daring  attempts  to  escape.  They 
generally  ended  tragically.  They  were  always  undertaken  in  the 
night,  after  wrenching  or  filing  the  bars  of  the  port-holes.  Having 
been  on  board  several  weeks,  and  goaded  to  death  in  various  ways, 
four  of  us  concluded  to  run  the  hazard.  We  set  to  work  and  got 
the  bars  off,  and  waited  impatiently  for  a  dark  night ;  we  lay  in  front 
of  Mr.  Remsen's  door,  inside  of  the  pier- head,  and  not  more  than 
twenty  yards  distant.  There  were  two  guard  sloops,  one  on  our 
bow  and  the  other  off  our  quarter,  a  short  distance  from  us.  "  The 
dark  night"  came — the  first  two  were  lowered  quietly  into  the  water 
— the  third  made  some  rumbling.  I  was  the  fourth  that  descended, 
but  had  not  struck  off  from  the  vessel  before  the  guards  were 
alarmed,  and  fired  upon  us.  The  alarm  became  general,  and  I  was 
immediately  hauled  on  board.  They  manned  their  boats,  and  with 
their  lights  and  implements  of  death,  were  quick  in  pursuit  of  the  un- 
fortunates, cursing  and  swearing,  and  bellowing  and  firing.  It  was 
awful  to  witness  this  scene  of  blood.  It  lasted  about  one  hour — all 
on  board  trembling  for  our  shipmates.    These  desperadoes  returned 

to  their  different  vessels  rejoicing  that  they  killed  three  d  d 

rebels. 


AND  PRISONS-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


237 


About  three  years  after  this,  I  saw  a  gentleman  in  John  street, 
near  Nassau,  who  accosted  me  thus  : — "  Manley,  how  do  you  do  ?" 
I  could  not  recollect  him.  <:  Is  it  possible  you  do  not  know  me  ?  re- 
collect the  old  Jersey,"  and  he  opened  his  vest  and  bared  his  breast. 
I  immediately  said  to  him,  "  You  are  James  McClean."  "  I  am," 
he  replied.  We  both  stepped  into  Marrener's  public  house,  at  the 
corner,  and  he  related  his  marvellous  escape  to  me. 

"  They  pursued  me — I  frequently  dived  to  evade  them,  and  when 
I  came  up,  they  fired  on  me.  I  caught  my  breath,  and  immediately 
dove  again,  and  held  my  breath,  till  I  crawled  along  on  the  mud. 
They  no  doubt  thought  they  had  killed  me.  I,  however,  with  much 
exertion,  though  weak  and  wounded,  made  out  to  reach  the  shore, 
and  got  into  a  barn,  not  far  from  the  ship,  a  little  north  from  Mr. 
Remsen's  house.  The  farmer,  the  next  morning,  came  into  his 
barn — saw  me  lying  on  the  floor,  and  ran  out  in  a  fright.  I  begged 
him  to  come  to  me,  and  he  did.  I  gave  an  account  of  myself — where 
I  was  from — how  I  was  pursued,  with  several  others.  He  saw  my 
wounds  ;  took  pity  on  me  ;  sent  for  his  wife,  and  bound  up  my 
wounds,  and  kept  me  in  the  barn  till  nightfall — took  me  into  his 
house — nursed  me  secretly,  and  then  furnished  me  with  clothing, 
&c. ;  and  when  I  was  restored,  he  took  me  with  him,  into  his  market 
boat,  to  this  city,  and  went  with  me  to  the  west  part  of  the  city — 
procured  me  a  passage  over  to  Bergen,  and  I  landed  somewhere  in 
Communipaw.  Some  friends  helped  me  across  Newark  Bay,  and 
then  I  worked  my  way,  until  I  reached  Baltimore,  to  the  great  joy 
of  all  my  friends." 

JNO.  MANLEY. 

New-  York,  September  1st,  1845. 

Wm.  Burke  says  (N.  Y.,  May,  1808)  that  he  was  a  prisoner  in 
the  Jersey  14  months ;  has  known  many  American  prisoners  put  to 
death  by  the  bayonet.  It  was  the  custom  for  but  one  prisoner  at  a 
time  to  go  on  deck.  One  night  while  many  prisoners  were  assem- 
bled at  the  grate  at  the  hatchway  to  obtain  fresh  air,  and  waiting 
their  turn  to  go  on  deck,  a  sentinel  thrust  his  bayonet  down  among 
them,  and  25  next  morning  were  found  to  be  dead.  This  was  the 
case  several  mornings,  when  sometimes  5,  sometimes  6,  and  some- 
times 8  or  10,  were  found  dead  by  wounds  thus  received. 

Hist,  of  the  Martyrs,  p.  89. 

11* 


238 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


N.  London,  Jan.  30,  '81.  Thirty  American  prisoners  came  in 
a  flag  from  N.  Y.  They  left  170  in  the  prison-ship  sick,  and  200  in 
another  ship  ;  7  or  8  died  every  24  hours. 

The  Scorpion,  Hunter,  Strombolo,  and  Jersey,  were  all  prison- 
ships  at  the  same  time  within  7  months.  Feb.  4,  '81.  An  old  64 
gun  ship  is  used  for  the  reception  of  prisoners  ;  2  or  3  of  each  rank 
allowed  to  go  ashore  to  buy  provisions.  The  Strombolo,  from  Ang. 
21  to  Dec.  10,  '82,  had  never  less  than  150  prisoners  on  board ;  oft- 
ener  over  200.  Gaine,  Feb.  12,  '81. 

Capt.  Cahoon,  with  4  others,  escaped  from  the  prison-ship  to  L. 
1.  in  a  boat,  March  8,  notwithstanding  they  were  fired  on  from  the 
prison  and  hospital  ships,  and  pursued  by  guard-boats  from  three  in 
the  afternoon  till  seven  in  the  evening.  He  left  200  prisoners  in 
N.  Y.  Conn.  Jour.,  Mar.  22,  '81. 

Chatham,  May  9,  '81.  Our  prisoners  are  allowed  only  6  oz. 
flour  and  same  quantity  of  pork  (often  very  bad)  per  day.  They  took 
250  prisoners  out  of  prison-ship  and  put  them  on  board  a  man-of- 
war. 

1100  French  and  American  prisoners  died  last  winter. 

Conn,  paper,  May,  '81. 

Extract  of  a  letter  dated  on  board  the  Jersey  (vulgarly  called 
HELL)  PRISON  SHIP,  New-York,  Aug.  10,  1781. 

"  There  is  nothing  but  death  or  entering  into  the  British  service 
before  me.  Our  ship's  company  is  reduced  to  the  small  number  (by 
death  and  entering  into  the  British  service)  of  19.  There  is  a  par- 
tial cartel  arrived  and  brought  11  prisoners,  and  the  names  of  so 
many  [American  prisoners  to  be  exchanged]  as  makes  up  that  num- 
ber, sent  from  Boston  by  somebody ;  and  d — n  the  villain  that  trades 
that  way,  though  there  is  many  such  in  Boston,  that  are  making 
widows  and  fatherless  children  ;  a  curse  on  them  all.  The  Commis- 
sary told  us  one  and  all,  to  th?  number  of  400  men,  that  the  whole 
fault  lays  on  Boston,  and  we  might  all  be  exchanged,  but  they  never 
cared  about  us.  I  am  not  able  to  give  you  even  the  outlines  of  my 
exile ;  but.  thus  much  I  will  inform  you,  that  we  bury  6,  7,  8,  9,  10, 
and  1 1  men  every  day :  we  have  200  more  sick  and  falling  sick 
every  day ;  the  sickness  is  the  yellow  fever,  small-pox,  and  in  short 
every  thing  else  that  can  be  mentioned.  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  tell 
you  that  our  morning's  salutation  is,  'Rebels!  turn  out  your  dead!'  " 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW- YORK. 


239 


Chatham,  N.  J.,  Sep.  5,  '81.  There  has  been  an  entire  exchange 
of  all  our  prisoners.  They  received  1  lb.  flesh,  2  lbs.  bread,  (often 
very  bad,)  and  a  pint  of  rice  per  man,  for  3  days.  The  prison- 
ers taken  at  Ft.  Griswold  were  confined  in  the  Sugar  House.  See 
Barber's  Conn.,  p.  287,  309. — Sep.  11,  '81.  All  our  prisoners  here 
left  the  Sugar  House.  Couranl. 

Fishkill,  Nov.  1,  '81.  A  number  of  officers  returned  on  Mon- 
day from  a  tedious  captivity  on  L.  I.,  by  way  of  N.  Jersey. 

N.  London,  Nov.  17,  '81.  A  flag  of  truce  returned  here  from 
N.  Y.  with  132  prisoners,  with  the  rest  of  those  carried  ofTby  Ar- 
nold. They  are  chiefly  from  the  prison  ships,  and  some  from  the 
Sugar  House,  and  are  mostly  sick.  (Names  of  sick  and  dead  fol- 
low.) 

Dec.  14,  '81.  A  Flag  from  White  Stone,  waited  10  days,  and  re- 
turned without  answer  or  prisoners.  Conn,  paper. 

i  Alex.  Coffin,  jr.,  was  put  in  the  Jersey  in  '82,  where  he  found 
1100  prisoners  in  a  most  deplorable  situation.  Every  spark  of  hu- 
manity had  fled  the  breast  of  British  officers.  "  You  d — d  rebellious 
Yankee  rascals,"  was  common  language.  In  winter  many  prison- 
ers had  scarcely  clothes  to  cover  their  nakedness.  To  keep  warm 
they  stayed  below,  lay  in  their  hammocks  and  kept  in  constant  mo- 
tion— fed  with  putrid  beef  and  pork  and  wrorm-eaten  bread ;  the  scent 
of  the  water  would  have  discomposed  the  olfactory  nerves  of  a  Hotten- 
tot. Hogs  were  fed  on  deck,  and  the  prisoners  would  scoop  bran  from 
the  troughs  with  their  tin  pots.  A  second  time  he  went  in  the  Jersey, 
Feb.  and  March,  '83,  and  though  absent  but  a  few  months,  he  found 
more  prisoners  than  he  had  left — but  four  of  his  former  fellow-pri- 
soners ;  some  had  got  away,  but  most  had  died.  There  were  so 
many  prisoners  in  the  Jersey,  that  2  or  300  were  sent  aboard  the 
John,  Transport,  converted  into  a  prison-ship.  Treatment  here 
much  worse  ;  for  a  month  no  fire  to  cook  food  ;  thinks  prisoners  were 
poisoned.  One  Gavot  of  R.  I.  died,  (as  was  supposed,)  and  being 
sewed  up  in  his  hammock,  was  carried  on  deck — the  hammock 
moved.  A  seaman  said  that  man  is  not  dead,  the  officer  replied,  "  in 
with  him  ;  if  he  is  not  dead,  he  soon  will  be."  The  hammock  was, 
however,  ripped  open,  and  the  man  alive!  revived  perhaps  by  a  dash 
of  rain  during  the  night.  Hist,  of  Martyrs,  p.  28,  37. 


240 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


N.  London,  Jan.  4,  '82.  130  prisoners  landed  here  from  N.  Y., 
Dec.  3d,  in  most  deplorable  condition ;  great  part  since  dead,  and"  the 
survivors  so  debilitated,  that  they  will  drag  out  a  miserable  exist- 
ence. It  is  enough  to  melt  the  most  obdurate  heart  to  see  these 
miserable  objects  landed  at  our  wharves,  sick  and  dying,  and  the  few 
rags  they  have  on,  covered  with  vermin  and  their  own  excrements. 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  20,  '82.  Many  of  our  unfortunate  prisoners 
on  board  the  prison-ships  in  the  East  River,  have  perished  during 
the  late  extreme  weather,  for  want  of  fuel  and  other  necessaries. 

N.  London,  May  3,  '82.  1000  of  our  countrymen  remain  in 
prison-ships  at  N.  Y.,  a  great  part  in  close  confinement  for  6  months 
past,  and  in  a  most  deplorable  condition.  500  have  died  during  the 
past  five  or  six  months,  300  sick ;  many  seeing  no  prospect  of  re- 
lease, are  entering  the  British  service  to  elude  the  contagion  with 
which  the  prison-ships  are  fraught. 

The  sloop  Chance  was  taken  to  N.  Y.,  May  15,  '82.  Of  57 
men,  17  died  in  7  weeks  ;  8  in  the  hospital ;  25  arrived  sick  at  Pro- 
vidence— only  3  or  4  could  walk.  Fishkill,  Nov.  2,  '80. 

New- York,  June  1,  '82. 

To  Abm.  Skinner  : — 

Sir — His  Excellency  Rear  Admiral  Digby,  has  ordered  me  to  in- 
form you  that  the  very  great  increase  of  prisoners,  and  heat  of  the  wea- 
ther, now  baffles  all  our  care  and  attention  to  keep  them  healthy.  Five 
ships  have  been  taken  up  for  their  reception,  to  prevent  their  being 
crowded,  and  a  great  number  permitted  to  go  on  parole.  In  winter  and 
during  cold  weather,  they  lived  comfortably,  being  fully  supplied  with 
warm  clothing,  blankets,  &c,  purchased  with  the  money  I  collected 
from  the  charitable  of  the  city ;  but  now  the  weather  requires  a  fresh 
supply,  something  light  and  suitable  for  the  season,  for  which  you  will 
be  pleased  to  make  the  necessary  provision,  as  it  is  impossible  for  them 
to  be  healthy  in  the  rags  they  now  wear,  without  a  single  shift  of  cloth- 
ing to  keep  them  clean.  DAVID  SPROAT. 

To  David  Sproat. 

NeicYorlc,  June  9,  1782. 
Sir  : — From  the  present  situation  of  the  American  naval  prison- 
ers on  board  your  prison-ships,  I  am  induced  to  propose  to  you  the 
exchange  of  as  many  of  them  as  I  can  give  you  British  naval  prisoners 
f  or,  leaving  the  balance  already  due  you  to  be  paid  when  in  our 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


241 


power.  (Upwards  of  1300  naval  prisoners  have  been  sent  more 
than  we  have  received.)  We  are  unable,  at  present,  to  give  you 
seamen  for  seamen,  and  thereby  relieve  the  prison-ships  of  their 
dreadful  burden  ;  but  it  ought  to  be  remembered,  that  there  is  a  large 
balance  [Sproat  says  only  245. — Ed.]  of  British  soldiers  due  the 
U.  S.  since  February  last,  and  we  may  be  disposed  to  place  the 
British  soldiers  in  our  possession,  in  as  disagreeable  a  situation  as 
these  men  are.  on  board  the  prison-ships. 

ABM.  SKINNER. 
[Sproat  replies,  June  9,  and  refuses  a  partial  exchange. — Ed.] 

Skinner  to  Sproat,  respecting  published  Letters. 

Camp  Highlands,  Ju.  24,  '82. 
Sir  :  *  *  The  design  of  the  British  is,  by  misrepresenting 
the  state  of  facts  with  regard  to  exchanges,  to  excite  jealousy  in  the 
minds  of  our  unfortunate  seamen,  that  they  are  neglected  by  their 
countrymen,  that  all  the  miseries  they  are  now  suffering,  arise  from 
want  of  inclination  in  Gen.  W.  to  exchange  them  when  he  has  the 
power  ;  in  hopes  by  this  insinuation  and  by  the  severity  you  make 
«use  of  in  confining  them  in  the  contaminated  holds  of  prison- 
ships,  to  compel  them  (to  avoid  the  dreadful  alternative  of  almost 
inevitable  death)  to  enter  into  the  service  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain.  I  was  present  when  Capt.  Aborn  and  Dr.  Bowen  waited 
on  Gen.  Washington.  He  told  them  that  exchanging  seamen  for 
soldiers,  was  contrary  to  the  original  agreement,  which  specified 
that  officers  should  be  exchanged  for  officers,  soldiers  for  sol- 
diers, citizens  for  citizens,  and  seamen  for  seamen  ;  as  it  was  con- 
trary to  the  practice  of  other  nations,  and  would  be  contrary  to  the 
soundest  policy,  by  giving  the  enemy  a  great  and  permanent  strength, 
for  which  we  could  receive  no  compensation,  or  at  best,  but  a  partial 
and  temporary  one,  he  did  not  think  it  would  be  admissible  ;  but  as 
the  misery  and  mortality  which  prevailed  among  the  naval  prisoners 
was  produced  almost  entirely  by  the  mode  of  confinement,  being 
closely  crowded  in  infectious  ships,  (which  had  not  been  cleaned  for 
many  years,)  he  would  write  to  Ad.  Digby,  in  whose  power  it  was 
to  remedy  the  evil,  by  confining  them  on  shore,  or  having  a  sufficient 
number  of  ships  provided  ;  for  it  was  as  preposterously  cruel,  he  said, 
to  confine  800  men  in  one  ship,  at  this  sultry  season,  as  it  would  be 
to  shut  up  the  whole  army  of  Lord  Cornwallis  to  perish  in  the  new 


242 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


jail  of  Philadelphia ;  we  had  the  means  of  retaliation  in  our  hands, 
which  he  should  not  hesitate  to  use,  by  confining  the  land  prisoners 
with  as  much  severity  as  our  seamen  were  held.  His  Ex.  (W.) 
suffered  me  to  go  to  N.  Y.,  (see  my  letter,  June  9th,)  to  examine 
into  the  ground  of  the  suffering  of  the  prisoners  and  devise  some  way 
for  their  liberation  or  relief.  A  balance  of  495  land  prisoners  has 
been  due  us  since  Feb.  '82,  besides  which,  I  believe  400  had  been 
sent  in,  (not  250,  as  you  falsely  state  in  a  note  to  my  letter.)  Not- 
withstanding this  balance,  I  was  then  about  sending  in  your  lines,  a 
number  of  land  prisoners,  as  an  equivalent  for  ours  confined  in  the 
Sugar-house,  without  which  I  could  not  make  interest  to  have  them 
liberated.  I  was  refused  permission  to  visit  the  prison-ships,  for 
which  I  can  conceive  no  other  reason  than  your  being  ashamed  to 
have  these  graves  of  our  seamen  seen  by  one  who  dared  to  repre- 
sent the  horrors  of  them  to  his  countrymen. 

Gaine,  July  8,  '82. 

Sprout  to  Skinner,  N.  Y.,  June  30,  '82. 
When  the  Commissioners  met  at  Elizabethtown,  April  1st,  Admiral 
Digby  offered  to  exchange  American  seumen  for  British  soldiers,  man 
for  man,  because  you  had  not  a  sufficient  number  of  British  seamen  to 
give  in  exchange  for  your  own,  and  because  he  foresaw  the  impossibility 
of  keeping  them  healthy  when  the  hot  season  came  on  ;  but  this  gener- 
ous proposul  was  rejected  by  Washington's  Commissioners.  Call  to 
mind  the  British  sailors  and  soldiers  cooped  up  in  the  jail  at  Philadel- 
phia, as  much  crowded  as  the  prison-ships  are,  fed  on  a  scanty  allow- 
ance of  dry,  stinking  clams,  and  bread  and  water  only,  to  compel  them 
to  enter  on  board  your  privateers. 

Six  masters  of  vessels,  captured  by  British  cruisers,  were  paroled, 
and  requested  to  visit  the  prison-ships  in  company  with  Sproat  and  the 
Surgeon,  who  report :  That  they  found  the  prisoners  as  comfortable  as  is 
possible  for  them  to  be  on  board  of  ships,  this  season  of  the  year,  (June 
22,  '82),  and  much  more  so  than  they  had  any  idea  of ;  and  found  all 
the  provisions  good  :  which  survey  being  made  before  the  prisoners, 
they  acknowledged  the  same,  and  declared  they  had  no  complaint  to 
make,  but  the  want  of  clothes  and  a  speedy  exchange :  We  therefore, 
from  this  Report,  and  from  what  we  have  all  seen  and  know,  do  declare 
that  great  commendation  is  due  His  Ex.  Rear  Ad.  Digby  for  his  humane 
disposition  and  indulgence  to  the  prisoners  ;  and  to  the  officers  and  Capt. 
of  His  Majesty's  prison-ship  Jersey,  for  their  attention  in  preserving 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


243 


good  order,  having  the  ship  kept  clean  and  awnings  spread  over  the  whole 
of  her,  fore  and  aft  ;  to  Dr.  Rutherford  and  his  mates,  for  their  constant 
care  and  attendance  on  the  sick,  whom  we  found  in  wholesome  clean 
ships,  also  covered  with  awnings  fore  and  aft,  every  man  furnished  with 
a  cradle,  bed,  and  sheets,  to  lay  in  ;  the  best  of  fresh  provisions,  vegeta- 
bles, wine  rice,  barley,  &c,  served  out  to  them  ;  and  we  further  declare, 
that  Mr.  Sproat  and  the  gentlemen  acting  under  him,  conscientiously 
do  their  duty  with  great  humanity  and  indulgence :  which  testimony 
we  freely  give  without  constraint.  Gaine,July  1,'82. 

[This  Report,  doubtless  drawn  up  by  Sproat,  was  signed  merely  to 
gratify  the  British  authorities  and  with  a  view  of  obtaining  liberty,  for 
when  once  out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy,  the  captains  told  a  different 
story. — Ed.] 

Washington  to  Ad.  Digby. 

Head-Quarters,  Ju.  5,  '82. 

Sir  : — By  a  parole  granted  to  two  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Aborn 
and  Bowen,  I  perceive  your  excellency  has  granted  them  permission 
to  come  to  me  with  a  representation  of  the  sufferings  of  the  naval 
prisoners  at  N.  Y.  As  I  have  no  agency  on  naval  matters,  this  ap- 
plication is  made  to  me  on  mistaken  grounds.  But  curiosity  leading 
me  to  inquire  into  the  nature  and  cause  of  their  sufferings,  I  am  in- 
formed that  the  principal  complaint  is,  that  of  their  being  crowded, 
especially  at  this  season,  in  great  numbers,  on  board  of  foul  and  in- 
fectious prison-ships,  where  disease  and  death  are  almost  inevitable. 
This  circumstance,  I  am  persuaded  needs  only  to  be  mentioned  to 
your  excellency,  to  obtain  that  redress  which  is  in  your  power  only 
to  afford,  and  which  humanity  so  strongly  prompts.  If  the  fortune 
of  war,  sir,  has  thrown  a  number  of  these  miserable  people  into 
your  hands,  I  am  certain  your  excellency's  feelings  for  your  fellow 
men,  must  induce  you  to  proportion  the  ships  (if  they  must  be  con- 
fined on  board  ships)  to  their  accommodation  and  comfort,  and  not 
by  crowding  them  together  in  a  few  ships,  bring  on  disorders  which 
consign  them  by  half-dozens  in  a  day  to  the  grave.  The  soldiers  of 
his  Britannic  Majesty,  prisoners  with  us,  were  they  to  be  equally 
crowded  together  in  close  and  confined  prisons,  at  this  season,  would 
be  exposed  to  equal  loss  and  misery. 

Digby  replies,  (IV.  Y.,  Ju.  8,)  that  if  Washington's  feelings  are  like 
his,  he  will  not  hesitate  one  moment  relieving  both  the  British  and 
Americans  suffering  under  confinement.  Gaine,  July  8,  '82. 


244 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


AT.  London,  June  21,  '82.  Sir  Guy  Carlton  has  visited  all  the 
prison-ships  at  N.  Y.,  minutely  examined  into  the  situation  of  the 
prisoners,  and  expressed  his  intention  of  having  them  better  provided 
for.  They  were  to  be  landed  on  BlackwelPs  Island  in  the  daytime, 
during  the  hot  season. 

A  Cartel  returned  to  Stonington  with  40  naval  prisoners  from  N. 
Y.    Many  are  sick  with  the  prison  fever  and  small-pox. 

N.  London,  July  26,  '82. 

Aug.  15,  '82.  We  are  now  prisoners  with  the  British,  some  in 
the  New  Jail  or  Provost,  some  in  the  Jersey  ship,  some  in  the  Fal- 
mouth, others  in  the  brig  Lord  Dunluce,  and  others  on  BlackwelPs 
Island.  Though  Mr.  Sproat  furnishes  us  with  the  King's  allow- 
ance of  choice  beef,  pork  and  bread,  yet  we  suffer  for  many  things 
[not  in  the  province  of  the  Commissary]  such  as  money  and  clothing, 
but  most  of  all,  our  dear  liberty.  Let  us  urge  our  friends  to  think 
seriously  of  our  situation  and  get  us  exchanged.  We  are  well 
supplied  with  medicines  and  good  doctors,  yet  so  many  of  us  are  to- 
gether this  season,  we  are  sickly,  and  many  die.  We  must  first  look 
to  our  parents,  and  connections,  then  to  our  employers,  Captains  and 
friends,  urging  their  doing  every  thing  to  get  our  releasement — do 
not  mind  the  expense. — (100  signers.)  Conn.  Gat. 

Letter  from  a  Privateer  Officer  on  board  the  Jersey. 

Nov.  9,  '82.  The  deplorable  condition  I  am  in,  cannot  be  ex- 
pressed. The  Capts.,  Lts.  and  sailing-masters  are  gone  to  the  Pro- 
vost, but  they  have  only  got  out  of  the  frying  pan  into  the  fire.  I 
am  left  here  with  about  700  miserable  objects,  eaten  up  with  lice, 
and  daily  taking  fevers  which  carry  them  off  fast. 

Jan.  29,  '83.  Carlton,  in  his  great  clemency,  has  paroled  near 
100  marine  prisoners,  60  of  whom  came  to  Elizabethtown. 

Boston,  March,  17,  '83.  By  cartel  from  N.  Y.  we  learn  the  ene- 
my have  burnt  their  prison-ship  and  set  the  prisoners  on  shore. 

Soldiers'  cribs,  boards,  &c,  for  sale  at  the  Brick  Meeting,  and 
Friend's  Meeting,  Q,ueen-St.  Gaine,  Nov.  12,  '83. 

Riv.,  Aug.  16,  '83.  For  sale,  the  Hulls  of  the  "Perseverance 
and  Bristol  Packet,"  Prison  Hospital  Ships,  as  they  now  lie  at  the 
Wallebocht. 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


245 


Fishkill,  May  8,  '83-    To  all  Printers  of  public  Newspapers. 

Tell  it  to  the  world,  and  let  it  be  published  in  every  Newspaper 
throughout  America,  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa,  to  the  everlasting  dis- 
grace and  infamy  of  the  British  King's  commanders  at  New-York  : 
That  during  the  late  war,  it  is  said,  11.644  American  prisoners  have 
suffered  death  by  their  inhuman,  cruel,  savage  and  barbarous  usage 
on  board  the  filthy  and  malignant  British  prison-ship,  called  the  Jer- 
sey, lying  at  N.  Y.  Britons  tremble,  lest  the  vengeance  of  Heaven 
fall  on  your  isle,  for  the  blood  of  these  unfortunate  victims  ! 

AN  AMERICAN. 

[The  above  paragraph  is  the  original  source  of  all  the  reports  of 
the  vast  numbers  who  perished  in  the  prison  ships.  What  number 
died,  cannot  be  even  guessed  at ;  all  is  rumor  and  conjecture,  wheth- 
er it  was  11,500,  or  half  that  number. — Ed.] 

David  Sproat,  Esq.,  formerly  merchant  at  Philadelphia,  and  ap- 
pointed Oct.  '79,  Commissary  of  naval  prisoners,  died  Oct.  1,  1799, 
at  his  house  in  Kirkcudbright,  Scotland,  aged  64. 

Joshua  Loring,  formerly  Com.  Gen.  of  prisoners  in  North  Amer- 
ica, died  at  Englefield,  1789,  aged  45. 

The  Life,  Confession,  and  last  dying  Words  of  Capt.  Cunningham, 
formerly  British  Provost-Marshal  in  the  City  of  New-York,  icho 
was  executed  in  London,  the  \0th  August,  1791. 
I,  William  Cunningham,  was  born  in  Dublin  Barracks,  in  the 
year  1738.  My  father  was  Trumpeter  in  the  Blue  Dragoons;  and 
at  the  age  of  eight  years  I  was  placed  with  an  officer  as  his  servant, 
in  which  station  I  continued  until  I  was  sixteen,  and  being  a  great 
proficient  in  horsemanship,  was  taken  as  an  assistant  to  the  riding 
master  of  the  troop,  and  in  1761,  was  made  sergeant  of  dragoons  ; 
but  the  peace*  coming  the  year  following,  I  was  disbanded.  Being 
bred  to  no  profession,  I  took  up  with  a  woman  who  kept  a  gin  shop, 
in  a  blind  alley,  near  the  Cole  Quay,  but  the  house  being  searched 
for  stolen  goods,  and  my  doxy  taken  to  Newgate,  I  thought  it  pru- 
dent to  decamp  ;  accordingly  I  set  off  for  the  North,  and  arrived  at 
Drogheda,  where,  in  a  few  months  after,  I  married  the  daughter  of 
an  exciseman,  by  whom  I  had  three  sons.  About  the  year  1772,  we 
removed  to  Newry,  where  I  commenced  the  profession  of  scaw- 


246 


INCICENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


banker,  which  is  that  of  enticing  mechanics  and  country  people  to 
ship  themselves  for  America,  on  promise  of  great  advantage,  and  then 
artfully  getting  an  indenture  upon  them,  in  consequence  of  which  on 
their  arrival  in  America,  they  were  sold,  or  obliged  to  serve  a  term 
of  years  for  their  passage.  I  embarked  at  Newry,  in  the  ship  Need- 
ham,  for  New-York,  and  arrived  at  that  port  the  4th  day  of  August, 
1774,f  with  some  indented  servants  I  had  kidnapped  in  Ireland;  but 
they  were  liberated  in  New-York,  on  account  of  the  bad  usage  they 
had  received  from  me  during  the  passage.  In  that  city  I  used  the 
profession  of  breaking  horses  and  teaching  ladies  and  gentlemen  to 
ride  ;  but,  rendering  myself  obnoxious^  to  the  citizens  in  their  infant 
struggle  for  freedom,  I  was  obliged  to  fly  on  board  the  Asia  man-of- 
war,  and  from  thence  to  Boston,  where  my  own  opposition  to  the 
measures  pursued  by  the  Americans  in  support  of  their  rights,  was 
the  first  thing  that  recommended  me  to  the  notice  of  Gen.  Gage  ; 
and  when  the  war  commenced,  I  was  appointed  Provost-Marshal  §  to 
the  Royal  army,  which  placed  me  in  a  situation  to  wreak  my  ven- 
geance on  the  Americans.  J  shudder  to  think  of  the  murders  I  have 
been  accessory  to,  both  with  and  without  orders  from  Government,  es- 
pecially while  in  New-  York,  during  which  time  there  were  more  than 
2000  prisoners  starved  in  the  different  churches,  by  stopping  their  ra- 
tions, which  I  sold. \\  There  were  also  215  American  prisoners  and 
obnoxious  persons  executed,  out  of  all  which  number  there  icere  only 
about  one  dozen  public  executions,  which  chiefly  consisted  of  British 
and  Hessian  deserters.  The  mode  for  private  executions  was  thus 
conducted :  a  guard  ivas  dispatched  from  the  Provost,  about  half  past 
twelve  at  night,  to  the  Barrack  street,  and  the  neighborhood  of  the  upper 
barracks,  to  order  the  people  to  shut  their  window  shutters,  and  put  out 
their  lights,  forbidding  them  at  the  same  time  to  presume  to  look  out  of 
their  ivindows  and  doors  on  pain  of  death,^  after  which  the  unfortu- 
nate prisoners  were  conducted,  gagged,  just  behind  the  upper  barracks, 
and  hung  without  ceremony,  and  there  buried  by  the  black  pioneer  of 
the  Provost.  At  the  end  of  the  war,  I  returned  to  England  with  the 
army,  and  settled  in  Wales,  as  being  a  cheaper  place  of  living  than 
in  any  of  the  populous  cities  ;  but  being  at  length  persuaded  to  go  to 
London,  I  entered  so  warmly  into  the  dissipations  of  that  capital,  that  I 
soon  found  my  circumstances  much  embarrassed,  to  relieve  which  I 
mortgaged  my  half  pay  to  an  army  agent ;  but  that  being  soon  ex- 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


247 


pended,  I  forged  a  draft  for  £300  sterling,  on  the  Board  of  Ordnance, 
but  being  detected  in  presenting  it  for  acceptance,  I  was  apprehended, 
tried  and  "convicted,  and  for  that  offence  am  here  to  suffer  an  igno- 
minious death.  I  beg  the  prayers  of  all  good  Christians,  and  also 
pardon  and  forgiveness  of  God  for  the  many  horrid  murders  I  have 
been  accessory  to. 

Wm.  Cunningham. 

[*  The  war  against  Spain  began  1762,  and  ended  the  same  or  next 
year. 

t  Iiiv.,  Aug.  4,  '74.  Yesterday  arrived  the  Needham,  Capt.  Chee- 
vers,  with  300  passengers,  from  Newry.  The  times  of  servants  of  both 
sexes  to  be  disposed  of  [to  pay  for  their  passage.] 

t  Riv.,  March  9,  '75.  Cunningham  and  John  Hill  went  among  the 
*'  Liberty  boys,"  who  seized  and  dragged  him  to  the  Liberty-pole,  and 
would  have  forced  him  to  go  down  on  his  knees  and  d — n  his  popish 
King  George,  had  he  not  been  rescued  by  the  police.  He  had  ample 
opportunity  of  avenging  this  affront  after  he  was  appointed  Provost 
Marshal. 

§  Wm.  Jones  was  Gage's  Provost  Marshal- till  1775,  when  his  name 
no  longer  appears. 

||  Common  fame  charges  Cunningham  with  selling,  and  even  poison- 
ing prisoners'  food,  exchanging  good  for  bad  provisions,  and  drawing 
their  rations  after  death,  or  as  they  worded  it :  "  He  fed  the  dead  and 
starved  the  living."  It  was  not  till  the  spring  of  1783,  that  a  monthly 
list  of  prisoners  was  printed  in  Rivington's  Gazette. 

IT  In  Watson's  Annals  of  New- York,  it  is  stated  that  Cunningham 
hung  five  or  six  of  a  night,  and  that  the  women  of  the  neighborhood, 
pained  by  the  prisoners'  cries  for  mercy,  petitioned  Howe  to  have  this 
practice  discontinued. 

All  the  dates,  historical  and  local  allusions,  in  this  confession,  as  far 
as  I  know,  are  correct ;  which  would  almost  incline  any  one  to  put  faith 
in  the  startling  disclosures  it  makes  of  the  secret  murdering  of  American 
prisoners.  The  question  of  its  genuineness  can  be  put  at  rest  only  by 
referring  to  the  London  newspapers  or  the  records  of  Newgate.  It  was 
printed  in  a  Philadelphia  paper  towards  the  close  of  1791,  (about  the 
time  it  would  probably  reach  there  from  England,)  and  is  spoken  of  as 
just  received  from  London,  and  "  is  authentic."  Thence  it  was-  copied 
into  the  Boston  papers,  but  does  not  appear  to  have  attracted  much  at- 
tention.— Ed.] 


248 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS 


Ritter,  a  Quaker  preacher,  says  Cunningham,  when  visiting  the 
prisons,  carried  his  large  key,  and  knocked  any  one  on  the  head  he 
was  offended  with.  Ritter  was  often  beat  and  bruised  severely  with 
the  butt-end  of  his  whip.  Cunningham  acted  with  peculiar  bursts  of 
passion  when  he  had  heard  bad  news. 

There  appears  to  have  been  no  systematic  plan  of  the  citizens  of 
N.  Y\,  for  relieving  the  prisoners.  We  have  scattering  notices  of  a 
few  charitable  individuals,  such  as  the  following :  Mrs.  Deborah 
Franklin  was  banished  from  N.  Y.,  Nov.  21,  '80,  by  the  British  com- 
mandant, for  her  unbounded  liberality  to  American  prisoners  ;  Mrs. 
Ann  Mott  was  associated  with  Mrs.  Todd  and  Mrs.  Whilten  in  re- 
lieving the  suffering  of  American  prisoners  in  N.  Y.,  during  the  revo- 
lution ;  John  Fillis  died  at  Halifax,  1792,  aged  68.  He  was  kind  to 
American  prisoners  in  N.  Y. ;  Jacob  Watson,  Penelope  Hull,  &c, 
are  also  mentioned. 

The  burials  from  the  prison-ships,  were  thus  conducted  :  A 
small  hole  was  dug  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  bodies  cast  in,  and 
covered  by  shovelling  sand  down  the  hill  upon  them.  Many  were 
buried  in  a  ravine  of  the  hill ;  some  on  the  farm.  The  whole  shore 
from  Rennie's  Point  to  Mr.  Remsen's  dooryard  was  a  place  of  graves, 
as  was  the  slope  of  the  hill  near  the  house,  (dug  down  by  Mr.  Jack- 
son, when  he  got  the  bones  for  the  procession)  and  the  shore  from 
Mr.  R.'s  barn  along  the  Mill-pond,  to  Rapalje's  farm,  and  the  sandy 
island  between  the  flood-gates  and  the  mill-dam,  while  a  few  were 
buried  on  the  east  shore  of  the  Wallebocht.  More  than  half  the 
dead  buried  outside  the  Mill-pond  (see  map)  were  washed  out  by 
the  waves  at  high  tide,  during  N.  E.  winds.  Their  bones  lay  ex- 
posed along  the  beach  (drying  and  bleaching  in  the  sun,  and  whiten- 
ing the  shore)  till  reached  by  the  violence  of  a  succeeding  storm, 
when  as  the  agitated  waters  receded,  the  bones  were  washed  with 
them  into  the  deep.  The  prisoners  in  the  Jersey  had  obtained  a 
crowbar  which  was  kept  concealed  in  the  berth  of  some  trusty  officer, 
and  used  to  break  off  port-gratings  in  stormy  nights.  A  number 
who  were  good  swimmers  thus  escaped.  Cap.  Doughty,  had  charge 
of  this  bar  while  a  prisoner,  and  escaped  by  this  means. 

Gen.  Johnson. 

The  long  detention  of  prisoners  on  board  the  prison-ships  must 
in  part  at  least  be  attributed  to  the  Americans  themselves.  Our 


AND  PRISON-SHIPS  AT  NEW-YORK. 


249 


privateers  captured  many  British  seamen,  and  should  have  retained 
them  to  exchange  for  our  countrymen  in  captivity,  but  when  willing 
to  enlist,  as  was  generally  the  case,  they  were  received  on  board  our 
ships  :  and  even  those  brought  in  port  were  suffered  to  go  at  large, 
on  account  of  the  expense  of  maintaining  them  till  they  could  be  ex- 
changed. 

British  account  of  the  mortality  of  Prisoners. 
P.  Dobbyn,  master  of  a  transport,  thus  writes  from  N.  York, 
Jan.  15,  '77  ;  We  had  4  or  500  prisoners  on  board  our  ships,  but 
they  had  such  bad  distempers,  that  each  ship  buried  10  or  12  a  day. 
Another  writer  (Jan.  14,  '77,)  says,  the  Churches  are  full  of  Ame- 
rican prisoners,  who  died  so  fast,  that  25  or  30  are  buried  at  a  time, 
in  N.  Y.  city.  Howe  gave  all  who  could  walk  their  liberty,  after 
taking  their  oath,  not  to  take  up  arms  against  His  Majesty. 

Mid.  (London)  Journal. 

The  prisoners  taken  in  the  hot  month  of  August,  1776,  had  on 
only  the  lightest  summer  clothing,  and  this  was  all  they  had  to  keep 
off  the  chill  of  a  December  night !  The  dysentery  had  also  prevailed 
among  them,  to  which  now  was  added  the  small-pox  and  other  pri- 
son diseases. 

One  Schureman  and  Lawrence  taken  at  N.  Brunswick,  once 
broke  out  of  the  Sugar  House.  They  were  fed  by  Philip  Kissick, 
and  bribing  the  keeper  for  the  privilege  of  the  yard,  they  gave  the 
guard  liquor  drugged  with  laudanum.  They  dug  through  a  wall 
and  escaped — found  a  fishing-boat  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city, 
paddled  over  the  river,  and  went  to  Morristown. 

Eager 's  Hist,  of  Orange  Co.,  p.  155. 

Jos.  Hedden,  of  Newark,  an  ardent  Whig,  had  eluded  the  vigil- 
ance of  the  refugees  for  some  time,  but  being  afflicted  with  the  gout 
he  returned  to  his  family.  He  was  taken  from  his  bed  in  the  month 
of  January,  1730,  and  on  one  of  the  coldest  nights  ever  known,  was 
forced  to  walk  10  miles  without  shoes  or  stockings  (his  feet  wrapped 
in  flannel  on  account  of  his  disorder)  over  the  snow  and  ice,  with- 
out any  garment  except  a  bed  blanket  on  his  shoulders,  to  the  Sugar 
House,  in  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  till  the  lamp  of  life  was  ex- 
tinguished. He  was  not  allowed  to  accept  of  another  blanket  of- 
fered him  at  the  Ferry. 


250 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  PRISONS. 


For  a  further  account  of  the  discipline,  daily  routine  of  prison 
life,  curious  adventures,  escapes,  anecdotes,  &c,  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred to  Recollections  of  the  Jersey  Prison  Ship,  by  Capi.  Thos. 
Bring,  Providence,  R.  L,  1829. — The  Old  Jersey  Captive,  by 
Thos.  Andros,  Boston,  1833. — Life  of  Ebenezer  Fox,  of  Roxbury, 
Boston,  1838. — Narrative  of  Col.  Ethan  Allen's  Captivity,  Burling- 
ton, Vt.,  1846. —  The  Interment  of  the  remains  of  11,500  American 
prisoners  at  the  Wallebocht,  New-York,  1808;  and  Freneau's  Poem 
on  the  Prison  Ship. 


APPENDIX. 


Forms  of  orders,  cf-c,  issued  in  the  Revolution. 

Jamaica,  29,  Aug.,  1776. 
Permit  Isaac  Bennet  to  pass  and  repass  without  molestation. 

WILL.  ERSKINE,  Brig.  Gen. 

Pursuant  to  His  Excellency  Sir  Wm.  Howe's  Proclamation  of  the 
17th  July,  1777  ;  Permission  is  hereby  given  to  Aaron  Van  Nostrand, 
to  carry  to  Jamaica  across  the  Ferry  one  bush.  salt.  He  having  com- 
plied with  the  directions  contained  in  the  above-mentioned  Procla- 
mation. 

New-York,  Superintendent's  Office,  Sep.  29th,  1777. 

JOHN  NUGENT,  Dep.  Superintend. 

To  the  Officers  attending. 

Office  of  Police,  Jamaica,  Ap.  18,  1781. 
The  highways  in  Kings  and  Queens  Cos.  requiring  immediate  re- 
pairs, the  several  overseers  are  directed  to  set  about  this  work  necessary 
without  delay,  and  by  laying  fascines  and  covering  them  with  earth,  to 
render  the  sloughs  passable  the  ensuing  season. 

JAS.  CREIGHTON,  Clerk. 

Office  of  Police,  \§th  Aug.,  1781. 
Aaron  Van  Nostrandt  is  directed  forthwith  to  warn  the  inhabitants 
of  Jamaica,  in  the  district  that  usually  work  on  the  highway  leading  to 
Flushing,  and  set  them  to  work  on  said  highway,  and  put  it  into  good 
order.  Those  who  refuse  to  work  after  being  properly  warned,  and  not 
making  a  sufficient  excuse,  he  is  to  fine  8s.  for  each  day's  neglect, 
agreeably  to  the  former  order  of  this  office. 

DAVID  COLDEN,  Ass.  Sup't. 


252 


APPENDIX. 


Office  of  Police,  Jamaica,  Oct.  16,  1782. 
Aaron  Van  Nostrandt,  Marshal  of  this  office,  is  appointed  inspector 
of  the  weight  and  quality  of  bread  in  this  town,  with  directions  to 
visit  the  several  bake-houses  once  a  week,  for  the  purpose  of  examining 
the  bread. 

GEO.  D.  LUDLOW,  Sup't. 

South  Hempstead,  Queens  Co.  These  are  to  certify  that  in  the  year 
1776,  before  the  troops  landed  on  L.  I.,  a  certain  Col.  Benj.  Birdsall 

and  Col.  Cornell  came  to  Jos.  Pettet's,  and  took  away  one  pair  of 

oxen  and  a  five  year  old  steer. 

SAM'L  PETTET,  Executor. 

Hempstead,  Nov.  26,  1776.  To  Mr.  Ashley;  Sir: — Please  to  pay 
the  bearer,  Mr.  Sam'l  Pettet,  the  money  due  for  my  wagon  and  horses 
for  38  days  in  His  Majesty's  service,  and  his  receipt  shall  be  your  dis- 
charge in  full  from  your  humble  servant. 

CHRISTIAN  SNEDECOR. 

Hempstead,  Nov.  20,  1776.  Sir: — Be  pleased  to  pay  the  bearer, 
Sam'l  Pettet,  the  money  due  for  my  wagon  and  horses  for  43  days  in 
His  Majesty's  service,  and  his  receipt  shall  be  your  discharge  in  full 
from  your  friend. 

FLOWER  HULST. 

Hempstead,  Jan.  4,  1777.  Permit  the  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Sam'l  Pet- 
tet, jr.,  to  pass  without  hindrance  to  N.  Y.  Island,  and  from  thence  to 
N.  Jersey,  or  until  he  find  his  wagon  and  horses,  now  in  His  Majesty's 
service — said  Samuel  has  always  acted  as  a  friend  to  government. 

S.  CLOWES,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Queens  Co. 

Feb.  2,  1780.  It  is  Col.  Hamilton's  positive  orders,  that  I  send 
Benj.  Rainer  and  his  son  Ezekiel,  before  him,  to  answer  to  the  com- 
plaint laid  against  them.  I  do  hereby  command  Sergeant  Elijah  Spragg 
to  take  both  of  them,  and  go  to  Col.  Hamilton's  with  them,  and  to  press 
their  sled  and  horses  to  carry  himself  and  them,  and  desire  Col.  Hamil- 
ton to  let  the  Sergeant  know  who  shall  pay  him  for  his  trouble. 
By  order  of  the  Colonel. 

BENJ.  HEWLETT,  Capt.  Q.  Co.  Militia. 

To  Mr.  Sam'l  Pettet :  It  is  Col.  Hamilton's  orders,  that  the  inhabi- 
tants fetch  the  provisions  for  the  Segoond  []]  officers.  Several  persons 
are  appointed  to  go.    It  fell  to  your  brother  Michael's  turn  to  go  to- 


APPENDIX. 


253 


morrow  morning,  but  as  he  is  unwell,  you  must  take  his  turn  of  duty 
and  he  shall  take  yours.  You  must  go  to  the  widow  Mott's  to  take  the 
things  to  bring  it  in,  and  there  will  be  some  person  to  go  with  you. 
Saturday  morning,  April  6,  you  must  go. 

BEN  J.  HEWLETT,  Capl. 

June  8, 1782.  Permit  the  bearer  hereof,  Silas  Pettet,  of  Hempstead, 
to  pass  to  N.  Y.  and  return,  by  order  of 

BENJ.  HEWLETT,  Capt.  Q.  Co.  Militia. 

Extracts  from  a  MS.  book  of  Peter  Onderdonk,  of  Cow  Neck,  Queens 
County. 

Sep.  14,  '76.    My  wagon  and  horses  entered  the  King's  service. 

Nov.  21.  My  son  Andrew  returned  sick  from  the  camp — left  my 
wagon  and  horses. 

Oct.  26.  Jona.  Dix  pressed  a  mare  from  me  to  go  in  His  Majesty's 
service. 

April  12,  '79.  Be  it  remembered  that,  April  12,  '79,  were  billeted 
upon  me,  18  Frenchmen,  (Canadians  ?)  in  order  to  cut  all  the  wood  be- 
longing to  Wm.  Cornell  and  Richard  Sands. 

When  Tyranny  holds  up  its  head, 
Then  glorious  liberty  is  fled. 
May  14.    The  above  Frenchmen  went  away,  but  returned  again 
in  parties  for  a  week  afterwards,  and  then  quit,  not  cutting  Richaid 
Sands's  woods. 

Dec.  23,  '79.  Jos.  Thome's  order  to  bring  the  Hessian  guard  wood, 
l^th  of  a  cord,  2  sled-loads. 

July  30,  '80.  Was  cut  and  carted  by  order  of  Robt.  Sutton,  12  loads 
of  wood,  out  of  my  woods,  without  asking  me  liberty. 

Sep.  24,  '81.  Hope  Mills,  Dr.  to  two  loads  of  hay  and  one  pair 
wagon-sides.    [Impressed? — Ed] 

Nov.  13,  '82.  Capt.  Westerhagen  came  here  with  his  company  to 
quarters,  (a  German  hireling,)  and  with  violence  drove  my  sick  daughter 
Elizabeth  and  Jannetie  Rapalje  out  of  their  sick  beds.  Ingratitude  ! 
He  quit  his  quarters  here  Jan.  7,  '83 — a  German  hireling  ! 

Jan.  17,  '83.  Ensign  Wagner  came  here  to  quarter  with  his  guard  ; 
left,  Feb.  28— a  hireling  ! 

Edward  Thome,  Dr.  (on  account  of  the  damage  sustained  by  his 
neglect  of  furnishing  the  troops  with  wood,  quartered  at  Wm. 
Dodge's)  to  cutting  40  walnut  saplings  and  upwards  of  100  chestnut 
rails,  £20. 

2 


254 


APPENDIX. 


The  above  damage  I  received  from  the  troops  of  Capt.  De  Wes- 
terhagen  and  Ensign  Wagner,  done  in  11  weeks;  some  of  the  wood 
was  carried  to  Wm.  Salts's  by  his  soldiers.  This  is  besides  the  wood 
burnt  at  my  house  by  Capt.  Westerhagen,  80  loads,  value,  £60. 

Note  to  Sec.  218. 
May  18, '77.    Representatives  in  Convention  from  Kings  Co.  were 
Henry  Williams  and  Wm.  Boerum  r   from  Suffolk,  Burnet  Miller, 
David  Gelston,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  Thos.  Tredwell  and  Thos.  Wicks. 

Note  to  Sec.  C89. 
Nath/l  Williams,  of  Huntington,  swore  July  4,  '79,  that  he  had 
been  twice  robbed  by  the  rebels  of  £450  money,  and  £10  in  goods  ; 
and  had  had  no  correspondence  with  his  son  and  two  daughters,  who 
live  with  the  rebels.  Jonas  Rogers  (also  accused  of  smuggling  goods 
to  Conn't)  swore  he  had  no  intercourse  with  his  son,  who  is  said  to 
have  come  plundering  on  L.  I.  Gaine,  July  12. 

Rev.  Abm.  Keteltas — Note  to  Sec.  3. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  revolution,  Mr.  K.  was  a  leading  Whig  at 
Jamaica.  In  Gaine's  paper  of  Feb.  13,  1775,  he  is  charged  with 
threatening  to  shoulder  his  musket  before  he  would  pay  the  tax  on  tea. 
In  the  next  paper  appears  an  able  vindication  of  his  conduct.  Pie  was 
chosen  deputy  to  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  at  the  abandonment  of 
the  Island,  he  fled  to  the  Main,  leaving  three  houses  in  N.  Y.  city,  and 
a  large  farm  with  slaves,  cattle,  and  a  furnished  house  on  it.  He  had 
100  acres  of  woodland  cut  off.  His  house  was  occupied  by  Gen.  Skin- 
ner and  other  Tories,  and  much  injured.  He  lived  at  Norwalk,  Dan- 
bury,  and  other  parts  of  New  England,  and  at  the  peace  returned  home 
much  reduced.  See  Trumbull  papers,  vol.  18,  117. — Of  his  sermons 
the  following  have  been  printed.  The  Religious  Soldier,  preached  at 
Elizabethtown,  to  the  regular  officers  and  soldiers  going  to  the  Cana- 
dian war,  March  8,  1759.  A  Charity  Sermon  preached  in  the  French 
Protestant  Church,  N.  Y.,  (of  which  he  was  pastor),  Dec.  27,  1773  ; 
Sermon  at  an  evening  Lecture,  at  Newburyport,  Oct.  5,  1777,  and  a 
Sermon  on  Extortion,  preached  at  Newburyport,  Feb.  15,  1778. 

Note  to  Sec.  721. 
July,  1815.  12  tons  of  pig  iron  and  a  long  321b.  cannon  were  taken 
up  by  a  diving  machine  in  Fortpond  Bay,  being  the  wreck  of  the  Cul- 
loden.  L.  I.  Star,  July  26. 


APPENDIX. 


255 


Note  to  Sec.  707. 
John,  son  ofWra.  Smith,  of  St.  George's  Manor,  and  Wm.  Philips, 
late  overseer  of  Wm  Floyd,  left  L.  I.  with  much  money  for  Con't. 

Gaine,  March  30,  '78. 

Note  to  Sec.  119. 
No  sooner  had  Jost  Monfort  fled  than  Capt.  Sneden  and  N.  C.  came 
to  his  residence,  and  were  taking  an  inventory  of  stock,  grain,  &c, 
with  a  view  to  its  confiscation,  when  his  father  told  them  the  property 
was  not  Jest's  but  his.  Thereupon  they  went  off.  Jost  had  three  sons, 
Peter,  Abraham,  and  George,  in  the  army  at  Brooklyn.  They  had  just 
returned  home,  when  some  British  light  horse  rode  up  to  the  house  by 
night.  They  escaped  by  a  back  door.  The  light  horse,  however,  by 
mistake  seized  their  brother  Jacobus,  who  had  not  been  in  arms,  and 
to  prevent  his  escaping,  the  drunken  guard  made  him  sit  up  undressed 
all  night  by  the  fireside.  He  pointed  a  pistol  at  his  mother,  threatened 
to  rip  open  'the  feather  beds  because  she  could  not  tell  where  her  sons 
had  fled,  made  her  draw  cider,  &c.  ;  and  to  terrify  her  still  more,  he 
presented  his  sword  to  Jacobus,  and  then  drawing  forth  his  pistol,  in- 
sisted on  a  mock  fight.  After  he  had  thus  trifled  the  night  away,  early 
next  morning  he  went  off  with  his  prisoner  to  the  Hollow  before  Squire 
Van  Wyck,  where  to  his  mortification  he  found  he  had  caught  the 
wrong  person.  At  another  time  some  soldiers  piloted  by  Tories  came 
to  his  house,  and  wantonly  fired  into  the  turkey-roost,  took  four  loads 
of  corn  from  his  crib,  jumped  into  the  hog-pen,  run  their  swords  into 
two  of  the  hogs,  threw  them  into  a  wagon  and  carried  them  off  to 
Jamaica.  They  also  drove  off  two  fat  cattle.  While  the  Tories  were 
thus  annoying  him,  Monfort  used  to  tell  them,  he  hoped  to  see  the  day 
when  he  should  have  satisfaction.  "  Ah,"  said  Squire  Van  Wyck, 
"  you  may  live  in  hope,  but  you'll  die  in  despair." 

Raising  the  Hulk  of  the  Hussar — Note  to  Sec.  146. 
In  July,  1S21,  Mr.  Palmer  on  board  a  U.  S.  gun-boat,  had  got  up 
the  rudder  of  the  Hussar  with  his  diving  bell.  In  Dec.  1819,  Sam'l 
Davis  had  raised  40  feet  of  the  stern,  when  the  vessel  broke,  and  the 
fore  part  settled  down  on  the  rocks.  Some  cannon  and  shot  were 
brought  up  with  the  stern,  but  no  specie,  of  which  she  was  said  to  have 
nearly  $100,000  on  board.  In  Oct.,  1825,  Major  Bayard  was  em- 
ployed as  engineer,  who  placed  several  chains  under  her  bottom,  and 
by  the  aid  of  screws,  hoped  to  raise  her  to  the  surface,  but  failed. 


256 


APPENDIX. 


Note  to  Sec.  336. 
Heniy  Allen,  of  Great  Neck,  was  robbed  by  some  persons  who 
first  called  up  David  Allen  and  made  him  cross  the  creek  with  them, 
and  knock  in  a  seeming  friendly  way  at  his  door.  On  hearing  the 
sound  of  David's  voice,  the  door  was  at  once  opened  and  the  robbers 
entered. 

Note  to  Sec.  412. 
As  the  Rev.  John  Bowden  rode  up  to  a  house  in  Smithtown,  he 
was  captured  by  a  concealed  party  of  whale-boatmen.  Why,  gentle- 
men, said  he,  what  shall  I  do  1  I  am  too  feeble  to  go  with  you,  it  will 
kill  me  !  Then  you  can  sign  a  parole,  and  we  will  exchange  you  for 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Mather,  said  they.  That  I  will  readily  do,  rejoined 
the  Parson. 

Note  to  Sec.  368. 
Tunis  Bogart  and  Dan'l  Luyster,  were  returning  from  a  funeral, 
Sep.  2,  1776,  when  they  were  arrested  by  the  Halls,  of  Lloyd's  Neck, 
(who  had  also  a  prisoner  from  the  Main  shore)  and  carried  to  Herricks. 
It  was  late  and  the  guard  would  not  disturb  the  officers.  So  they  were 
all  put  in  a  room  in  charge  of  the  Halls,  who  were  now  drunk.  The 
man  from  the  Main  slipped  off  while  the  Halls  were  asleep.  In  the 
morning,  Bogart  and  Luyster  were  examined  and  set  at  liberty,  but 
they  had  not  yet  reached  home  before  they  were  impressed  with  their 
wagons  to  cart  cannon  and  shot  from  New  Utrecht  to  Hell  Gate.  B. 
had  a  load  in  his  wagon  for  some  weeks,  and  finally  crossed  over  at 
Hell  Gate  and  left  his  load  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  There  he  saw 
the  execution  of  Hale.  Becoming  sick,  he  left  his  wagon  in  care  of  a 
hired  driver  and  returned  home.  His  brother  George  was  sent  to  take 
charge  of  the  wagon,  but  as  he  was  passing  through  Jamaica,  he  was 
betrayed  by  one  Remsen,  his  fellow-traveller,  and  was  forced  to  enlist 
in  Capt.  Dunbar's  company,  to  escape  imprisonment.  When  his  father 
heard  of  his  being  in  duress,  he  went  to  Jamaica,  and  procured  his  re- 
lease and  sent  him  on  to  N.  Y.  He  was  present  as  a  wagoner,  at  the 
capture  of  Ft.  Washington,  and  afterwards  crossed  with  the  army  into 
Jersey  ;  where  Dan'l  Luyster  died  of  small-pox. 

Note  to  Sec.  769. 
One  Green,  it  is  said,  shot  a  whale-boatman  at  the  head  of  Pat- 
chogue  swamp,  who  had  come  over  from  the  Main  after  the  peace,  and 
collected  some  ransom  money  from  persons  he  had  liberated  during  the 
war.    Nothing  was  ever  done  with  him. 


APPENDIX. 


257 


Note  to  Sec.  65. 

At  11  this  evening,  250  men  under  Majors   and  Livingston 

marched  to  rout  a  number  of  Tories  in  the  swamps  of  L.  I.,  and  to 
pick  up  such  men  as  are  inimical  to  the  liberty  of  America. 

Webb,  June  23. 

Note  to  Sec.  109. 

Eagle  and  Penfold,  Committee-men,  report  to  Gen.  Heath,  at  Kings- 
bridge,  Aug.  29,  that  the  light  horse  in  companies  of  8  or  10,  are  pil- 
laging at  Flushing.    Major  Bowne  was  seen  bound  in  their  hands. 

"  Their  scouting  parties  consist  of  about  300  horse,  and  400  foot, 
with  Tory  recruits."  Livingston,  Southold,  Aug.  31. 

Sexton's  Bill— note  to  Sec.  259. 

Jamaica,  Oct.  24,  1780. 

Gen.  Delancey, 

To  Grace  Church,  Dr. 


To  digging  a  grave  for  Maj.  Waller,       -       -       -  £0  10 

"  Funeral  Bell,  0  5 

"  Use  of  Church  Pall,  0  4 

"  Inviting,  and  attending  funeral,     -       -       -       -  0  16 


£1  15 

Sexton's  bill — note  to  Sec.  245. 

Jamaica,  Sep.  12,  1779. 

Mrs.  Brewerton, 

To  Grace  Church,  Dr. 


To  Inviting,  and  attending  Col.  Brewerton,    -       -       -       £0  16 

«  Funeral  Bell,  0  5 

"  Digging  grave  and  burying  corpse,  -  -  -  -  1  12 
"  Cleaning  the  Church,  0  12 


£3  5 

Note  to  Sec.  292. 
Dover,  June  23,  '77.  F.  B.,  said  she  did  not  remove  on  account  of 
expense,  being  discouraged  by  P.  Corney.  She  signed  the  paper  with- 
out reading  it.  She  suffered  much  by  the  British.  Her  house  was 
plundered  of  many  valuables.  They  left  her  with  many  curses  and 
threats  about  her  rebel  husband.  She  lost  2  pair  fat  oxen,  6  head  fat 
cows,  30  store  cattle,  2  pair  work  oxen,  2  ox  carts,  2  horses,  a  good 
new  wagon,  90  sheep,  poultry,  &c,  &c  ,  &c. 

XXXVIII.  147.  M$.  Jour. 


258 


APPENDIX. 


Note  to  Sec.  555. 


Field  and  Staff  Officers,  1st  Keg.  of  Suffolk  Co. 
Wm.  Floyd,  Col. ;  Gilbert  Potter,  Lt.  Col. ;  JefTery  Smith,  and 
Jesse  Brush,  Majors;    Philip  Roe,  Adj.  ;  John  Roe,  Q.  M. 


Capt's.  Names. 

to 
a 

a 
O 

to 

Ensigns. 

Serg. 

Corp. 

Clerk. 

Drum. 

Fife. 

Privates 

Total. 

Sam'l  Johnson, 
Eben  Miller, 
Nathan  Rose, 
Wm.  Brewster, 
Philetus  Smith, 
Joshua  Rogers, 
Epenetus  Conklin, 
Joel  Skudder, 
John  Buffet, 
Piatt  Vail, 
Gilbert  Carll, 
Benajah  Strong, 
Dan'l  Roe's  ) 
Minute  Comp.  \ 

j 

1 

2 
2 

2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

2 

1 

4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 

4 

4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 

4 

1 

1 

1 

102 
56 
98 
67 
67 

101 
85 
51 
38 
44 
41 
23 

61 

117 
71 
113 

82 
82 
114 
99 
65 
52 
59 
56 
38 

76 

13 

26 

13 

52 

52 

13 

13 

13 

834'l024 
1 

Hempstead  Petitioners  against  driving  off  Stock — Note  to  Sec.  79. 
Silvanus  Beadle,  David  Batty  ;  Jas  ,  Jos.,  John  and  Oliver  Birdsall  ; 
Jas.  Burch,  Carman  Burtis,  Smith  Brush,  Silas  Carman,  Jos.  Carpenter, 
David  Casseboom,  Wm.  and  Johannes  Covert  ;  Benj.  Cromwell,  Thos. 
Dean,  St.  Denton,  Israel  Eldert,  John  Ellsworth,  Lawrence  Fish,  Luke 
Fleet,  Zophar  Hawkins,  Hend'k  Hendrickson  ;  Sam'l,  Jacob,  Richard 
and  Oba.  Jackson  ;  Gilbert,  Wm.  and  John  Jones;  Tise  Lane,  John 
Lewis,  Garret  Monfort,  Dan'l  Nostrant,  Israel  Oakley,  V.  H.  Peters, 
Jas.  Pine,  Thos.  Place,  Sol.  Poole,  Henry  Pageot,  [?]  Jas.  Ryder ; 
Benj.,  John,  John  W.,  Oba.,  Jacob,  Sam'l,  Sol.,  Williams  and  Zeb.  Sea- 
man ;  Embree  Shadbolt,  John  Simonson,  Nathan  Skidmore  ;  Gershom 
and  Richard  Smith  ;  Christoffel  Stimeston,  Jacob  and  Richard  Totten, 
Benj.  and  Thos.  Tredwell ;  Jas.,  Cor.  and  Gabriel  Van  Cott ;  Garret 
Van  Nostrand,  Henry  Walters,  Benj  ,  Wm.  and  Jacob  Wanser;  John 
and  Zeb.  Williams  ;  Geo.  and  Anthony  Wright. 


APPENDIX. 


259 


Skinner's  Brigade — Note  to  Sec.  483. 
1778. 

Lt.  Cols. — Elisha  Skinner,  John  Morris,  Abm.  Van  Buskiuk,  Jos. 
Barton,  Isaac  Allen. 

Majors — Thos.  Lawrence,  John  Antill,  John  Coldcn,  John  Drum- 
mond,  Philip  Van  Cortland,  Dan'l  Isaac  Brown,  Robert  Tympany, 
Thos.  Millege,  John  Barns,  Richard  Stockton. 

1780. 

1st  Bat.  2d  Bat.  2d  Bat. 

Col.  Cortland  Skinner, 

Lt.  Col.  St.  Delancey,  Isaac  Allen,  Abm.  Van  Buskirk, 

Maj.  Thos.  Millege,  Robt.  Drummond,      Ph.  Van  Cortland. 

Fight  in  Hempstead  Swamp — Note  to  Sec.  65. 
N.  Y.  June  24,  '76.  A  party  of  our  men  went  to  L.  L  last  Saturday 
(June  20,)  to  take  up  some  Tories.  They  returned  yesterday  (Sunday) 
with  one  Downing,  charged  with  being  in  the  hellish  plot  [to  rise  when 
the  British  landed,  seize  the  passes  to  N.  Y.,  kill  Washington,  blow  up 
the  magazines,  &c.].  They  took  6  prisoners  and  put  them  in  Jamaica 
Jail.  The  Tories  made  some  resistance,  and  fired  on  our  men  in  the 
woods  ;  our  people  returned  the  fire,  and  wounded  one  man  mortally  ; 
they  then  called  for  quarters.  [One  of  Washington's  guards,  Thos. 
Hickey,  was  hung  last  Friday,  June  28,  being  one  of  the  plotters,  in 
presence  of  20,000  spectators.    See  Sparks,  III.  44,1.— Ed.] 

Ludlow  to  Silliman — Note  to  Sec.  365. 

A  plundering  party  under  Fred'k  Denison,  came  from  Greenwich  to 
Hempstead  Harbor,  Saturday  night,  Sep.  30,  '80,  and  plundered  Chas. 
Doughty,  a  Quaker  shopkeeper,  at  Foster's  Meadow,  of  goods,  money 
and  apparel,  equal  to  £1500.  Oba.  Valentine  was  one  of  them  and  a 
guide.  They  returned  with  their  plunder  to  Daniel  Lyons,  at  Coscob. 
The  boat  belonged  to  Skudder  Valentine. 

Silliman  replies,  Oct.  12,  that  he  will  search  for  the  offenders,  and 
send  for  Doughty  to  testify. 

Exchange  of  Judge  Jones — Note  to  Sec.  402. 
Gen.  Silliman  says,  u  I  left  N.  Y.  Wednesday  last,  to  be  exchanged 
for  Judge  Jones.    Thursday,  3.  P.  M.,  met  Jones  in  the  Sound  near 
Hart  I.    I  put  back  and  came  under  the  stern  of  the  guard  ship,  Grand 
Duke,  Capt.  Holman,  which  lay  between  City  and  Hart  I.    Having  ex- 


260 


APPENDIX. 


changed  vessels,  the  favoring  wind  and  tide,  which  carried  Jones  to 
N.  Y.  that  evening,  prevented  my  reaching  home  till  next  day  even- 
ing. 

Capt.  George  Lyman,  who  had  some  lime  previously  robbed  Col. 
Floyd,  and  had  command  of  3  whale-boats,  lost  his  liberty  in  carrying 
off  Judge  Jones,  and  was  put  in  the  Sugar  House. 

Note  to  Sec.  162. 
Alex.  Grant,  who  was  afterwards  killed  at  Ft.  Montgomery,  took 
possession  of  B.  Coe's  farm,  in  '77.  His  family  kept  it  till  the  peace. 
To  repay  him  for  the  waste  and  injury  the  State  indemnified  him  from 
Grant's  estate  in  N.  Y.,  and  allowed  him  to  file  a  declaration  against 
Grant's  heirs,  as  G.  had  a  large  estate  in  N.  Y. Passed,     Ap.  23,  '85. 

Fort  on  Lloyd's  Neck—Note  to  Sec.  410. 
The  Fort  on  Lloyd's  Neck  is  an  irregular  square,  has  a  fosse  4  ft. 
deep  and  wide,  nearly  surrounding  it ;  frized  on  every  part,  upright 
pickets  8  ft.  high  and  4  in.  diameter,  (mostly  of  round  staddlewood)  are 
placed  in  the  centre  of  the  ditch  and  another  row  of  pickets  without  the 
ditch. and  an  abattis  without  the  whole.  A  wagon  passage  opens  into 
ihe  Fort,  and  is  not  obstructed  by  a  gate.  Near  the  centre  of  the  Fort 
is  a  blockhouse  of  4  in.  plank  without  loopholes.  On  the  walls  of  the 
Fort  are  mounted  4  loffg  12  pounders  and  two  3  pounders,  and  in  the 
Fort  a  brass  41b.  field-piece.  By  day  2  men  are  in  the  Fort,  by  night 
8:  the  rest  in  barracks  and  encamped  from  100  to  300  yds.  from  the 
Fort.  A  picket  is  kept  at  a  high  bluff  near  the  entrance  of  Huntington 
Harbor.    Two  miles  west  is  a  sandy  beach  and  no  guard  there. 

Trumbull,  XV.  325. 

Troops  in  Queens  Co. — Eeport  of  Spies. 
Aug.  7,  '77.  British  have  300  men  at  Huntington  ;  at  Setauket 
250.  They  have  made  store-houses  of  the  meeting-houses,  and  erected 
Forts  around  them.  Feb.  9,  '78.  One  regiment  at  Brooklyn,  one 
(Scotch)  at  Flushing ;  one  regiment  Greencoats,  at  Herricks ;  one  at 
Jamaica.  Feb.  16, '79.  17th  Dragoons  (300)  and  Lord  Cathcart's  Legion 
(50)  on  L.  I. ;  14  companies  Grenadiers  (700)  at  Jamaica  ;  1st  batta- 
lion Hessian  Chasseurs  (350)  at  Flushing;  Ludlow's  battalion  (150) 
at  Lloyd's  Neck  ;  Simcoe's  Rangers  (250)  on  L.I.  July  7,  'bl.  Jagers 
removed  from  N.  side  of  Hemp.  Plains  to  Kingsbridge.  Lloyd's  Neck 
evacuated  by  Col.  Hewlett  and  his  party,  who  now  lie  encamped  just 
out  of  the  town  spot  of  Jamaica,  a  little  to  the  East.     The  Loyal 


APPENDIX. 


261 


Refugees,  now  commanded  by  Hubbel,  amount  to  200  or  300  men. 
The  17th  horse  removed  from  Hemp,  to  Success,  for  convenience  of 
pasture.  June,  '81.  Major  Fitch  says,  regular  troops  on  L.  I.  lay  as 
far  east  as  Jamaica,  where  are  300  ;  17th  dragoons  (300)  in  the  vici- 
nity of  Flushing  ;  150  Associated  Loyalists  at  Lloyd's  Neck,  who  draw 
270  rations,  one  for  man,  half  for  woman,  quarter  for  child.  No  date. 
At  Jamaica  is  Ludlow's  regiment,  350  men  ;  at  Flushing  Fly,  Arnold's 
corps,  200  ;  at  Fresh  Meadows,  17th  dragoons;  between  Jamaica  and 
Bedford  are  Murray's  corps,  150  ;  at  Brooklyn,  Grenadiers  of  47th  re- 
giment, and  some  German  recruits.  None  of  the  above  can  help 
Slongum  or  Lloyds  Neck.  Slongum  mounts  2  six  pounders,  and  is  of 
little  strength. 

Feb.  6,  '82.  At  Jamaica  2  battalions  Grenadiers,  800  men  ;  at 
Flushing,  38th  and  54th  regiments;  at  Hempstead,  17th  dragoons;  at 
Herricks,  Hessian  Jagers  ;  at  Hallet's  Cove,  Royal  Forresters  ;  at  New- 
town, Garrison  of  Pensacola.  July  5,  '82.  Lloyd's  Neck,  supposed  to 
be  weak,  commanded  by  Maj.  Hubbel — 200  men  without  discipline 
and  off  their  guard — subsist  by  trading  to  Con't,  daily  diminishing. 
Their  protection  by  water  is  a  brig,  sloop,  and  galley.  At  Success 
Church,  one  or  2  miles  from  Herricks,  is  Col.  Murray's  horse  and  2  regi- 
ments of  Jagers  and  Anspach,  in  all  1,000  men  ;  300  of  which  said  to 
be  horse,  and  all  commanded  by  Col.  Wormb.  May  23,  '82.  The 
wagons  and  horses  of  the  Refugee  Post,  at  Lloyd's  Neck,  were  sold 
yesterday  at  Vendue.  Dec.  18,  '82.  Fitch  says,  Thompson's  corps, 
the  remains  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  Tarlton's  Legion  (5  or  600) 
are  at  Huntington,  to  protect  the  trade  with  the  Main.  At  Norwich  the 
remains  of  the  Anspach  regiment,  150  men  ;  the  Hessian  and  Anspach 
Jagers  lay  at  Wheatly,  Jericho,  Westbury,  Herricks,  Northside,  Cow 
and  Great  Neck,  (in  all  930,)  under  Wormb  and  Preuschenck  ;  at  Hemp- 
stead are  4  companies  of  17th  dragoons  ;  at  Jamaica,  are  Pinon's  and 
Kniphausen's  regiment ;  at  Flushing,  Delancey's  3d  battalion. 

Troops  on  Long  Island — Report  of  Spies.    Dec,  1782. 
Information  by  O.S.  6j  T.  L.,  Inhabitants  of  Kings  County,  at  Brooklyn 
and  the  Ferry. 

Hackenbergh's  regiment  of  Hessians,  in  the  large  Fort  back  of  the 
Ferry,  and  in  the  redoubts — number  uncertain  ;  at  Bedford,  the  Gar- 
rison Battalion  of  invalids,  about  100  total,  half  officers  ;  quartered  in  the 
inhabitants'  houses  ;  at  New  Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  Col.  Purbeck's 
regiment  of  Hessians,  about  350  total,  in  the  inhabitants'  houses ;  at 


262 


APPENDIX. 


the  Narrows,  Yellow  Hook  and  Denyse's,  are  Col.  Chambers'  Maryland, 
and  Col.  Allen's  Pennsylvania,  Loyalists,  170  total,  half  officers;  at 
Bushwick,  2  companies  pioneers,  60  total,  chiefly  blacks,  in  the  inhabi- 
tants' houses.  The  above  troops  have  been  a  considerable  time  in  the 
abovesaid  places,  and  are  supposed  to  be  stationary  for  the  winter  sea- 
son ;  at  Flushing,  Ludlow's  regiment,  about  380  total ;  head  of  the  Fly, 
remains  of  Col.  Fanning's  and  Col  Robinson's  regiments,  number  un- 
known ;  at  Jamaica,  remains  of  2  Hessian  regiments,  about  250  total  ; 
at  Hempstead,  4  companies  of  the  17th  Light  Dragoons.  These  have 
been  some  time  in  the  above  places,  chiefly  in  the  inhabitants'  houses, 
cannot  tell  whether  stationary  or  not ;  at  Huntington,  Col.  Thompson's 
corps,  the  remains  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  and  Legion,  number  unknown, 
supposed  to  be  stationary  ;  at  Cow  Neck,  and  from  Herricks  to  Nor- 
wich in  Queens  Co.,  is  Col.  Wormb's  regiment,  about  800  foot  and  100 
cavalry,  quartered  in  the  inhabitants'  houses,  have  been  there  four 
weeks  ;  supposed  to  be  stationary  for  the  winter  season. 

Information  by  P.  T.,  an  inhabitant  of  Queens  Co. 
At  Hempstead,  4  companies  of  the  17th  Light  Dragoons,  exactly 
100  total,  commanded  by  a  Capt.,  the  horses  very  poor  and  unfit  for 
service  ;  this  corps  consists  of  6  companies,  2  of  which  are  on  York 
Island  ;  Col.  Wormb's  regiment,  about  900  total,  160  of  them  mounted  ; 
they  begin  at  Jericho  and  Norwich,  and  extend  12  miles  westward,  as 
far  as  Herricks,  and  the  head  of  the  Necks.  They  are  chiefly  in  the 
inhabitants'  houses,  and  have  been  there  about  4  weeks  ;  supposed  to 
be  stationary.  The  chief  picket  guard  is  at  Hempstead  Harbor.  Ma- 
gazines of  forage  to  be  fixed  at  Herricks,  Jericho,  Norwich,  Westbury, 
and  Hempstead  Harbor  ;  no  forage  on  hand  at  present  only  for  present 
use  ;  at  Huntington,  Col.  Thompson's  regiment,  the  remains  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  and  the  Legion,  being  580  effectives.  This  was 
taken  from  the  Quarter  Master's  return  made  out  to  draw  clothing  ; 
supposed  to  be  stationary. 

Information  by  T.  S.,  an  inhabitant  of  Cow  Neck. 
At  Cow  Neck,  are  the  Hesse  Hanau  troops  which  arrived  about  18 
months  since,  being  the  last  Dutch  troops  which  arrived,  being  470  in 
number,  commissioned  officers  excepted,  70  of  said  number  sick  and 
unfit  for  duty.  This  return  was  taken  from  the  Quarter  Master's  book. 
They  lay  as  low  as  Doctor  Brooks's,  where  a  guard  is  kept,  about  a  £ 
mile  from  the  water-side,  quartered  in  the  inhabitants'  houses,  com- 
manded by  Lt.  Col.  Yannakie,  under  command  of  Col.  Wormb  ;  have 


APPENDIX. 


263 


been  there  near  4  weeks,  and  supposed  to  be  stationary  for  the  winter 
season.  A  very  strong  picket  kept  at  Hempstead  Harbor  of  Col. 
Wormb's  Yagers. 

Information  by  J.  T.,  an  inhabitant  of  Queens  County. 
The  troops  at  Cow  Neck,  Herricks,  Westbury,  Wheatly,  Northside, 
Jericho,  and  Norwich,  commanded  by  Col.  Wormb,  do  not  exceed  1000 
total  ;  quartered  in  the  inhabitants'  houses,  and  expect  them  to  be  sta- 
tionary for  the  winter  season.  An  Officer  and  a  Quarter  Master  have 
been  and  marked  the  houses  in  Wolver  Hollow,  and  Cedar  Swamp, 
for  quarters  for  the  troops,  which  are  arrived  from  Charleston  ;  could 
not  learn  the  number,  expect  they  will  be  stationary.  The  Hessian 
officers  on  parole  at  Matinecock  and  Lattingtown,  say  they  expect  to  be 
removed  to  Jerusalem,  in  order  to  make  room  for  the  troops  arrived  from 
Charleston. 

Information  by  T.  B.,  a  Refugee  from  Queens  County,  residing  in  Stam- 
ford :  went  over  and  got  the  following  account: 

At  Huntington,  Thompson's  corps,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers  and  Legion,  500  total  ;  at  Norwich,  the  remains  of  the 
Anspach,  130  total  ;  at  Jericho,  Wheatly,  Westbury,  Northside  and  Nor- 
wich, 300  Anspach,  and  500  Hessian  Yagers  ;  Col.  Wormb's  quar- 
ters are  at  Westbury,  at  Wm.  Titus's  ;  Col.  Prussian's  quarters  at 
Wheatly  ;  at  Hempstead,  4  companies  17th  Light  Dragoons;  at  Jamaica, 
the  remains  of  Cols.  Penosand  Knyphausen's  regiments,  numbers  un- 
known ;  at  Flushing,  3d  battalion  of  Delancey's  corps,  number*  unknown. 

N.  B. — From  Norwich  a  southerly  course,  3  miles  to  Jericho,  then 
west  3  miles  to  Westbury,  same  course  3  miles  to  Northside,  then 
northwesterly  3  or  4  miles  to  Herricks,  also  from  Westbury  to  Wheatly 
is  3  miles.  Herricks  is  about  2  miles  from  Judge  Ludlow's,  and  1  mile 
from  the  edge  of  the  Plains. 

Information  by  D.  31.,  an  inhabitant  of  Stamford. 
On  the  1st  Dec,  he  was  at  Huntington  passing  for  an  inhabitant, 
and  passed  within  4  rods  of  the  front  of  the  Fort  which  faces  the  north. 
It  is  about  5  rods  in  front  with  a  gate  in  the  middle,  it  extends  a  con- 
siderable distance  north  and  south  :  the  works  were  altogether  of  earth, 
aiiout  six  foot  high,  no  pickets  or  any  other  obstruction  to  the  works, 
except  a  sort  of  ditch,  which  was  very  inconsiderable,  some  brushlike 
small  trees  fixed  on  the  top  of  the  works,  in  a  perpendicular  form  ;  he 
was  told  it  encompassed  near  2  acres  of  ground.    It  is  built  on  a  rising 


264 


APPENDIX. 


ground,  and  takes  in  the  burying-ground :  the  Meeting-house  they  have 
pulled  down.  The  troops  consist  of  Thompson's  regiment,  the  remains 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers  and  the  Legion,  being  550  effective;  they  are 
quartered  as  compact  as  possible  in  the  inhabitants'  houses  and  barns, 
and  some  hutted  along  the  sides  of  the  Fort,  which  makes  one  side  of 
the  hut.  The  inhabitants  of  Huntington  do  suffer  exceedingly  from  the 
treatment  they  receive  from  the  troops,  who  say  the  inhabitants  of  that 
County  are  all  Rebels,  and  therefore  they  care  not  how  they  suffer. 
Dec.  8th,  1782. 

When  Washington  was  President,  he  made  an  excursion  on  L.  I., 
passing  up  the  south  side  as  far  as  Patchogue  ;  thence  crossing  over  to 
Smithtown,  he  returned  through  Oyster  Bay,  Hempstead  Harbor  and 
Flushing.  He  was  attended  by  his  suite  of  officers,  and  rode  in  a  coach 
drawn  by  four  grays,  with  outriders.  The  old  people  tell  many  pleas- 
ant anecdotes  of  him.  He  dined  at  Z.  Ketcham's,  Huntington  South, 
and  begged  the  landlord  to  take  no  trouble  about  the  fare,  and  on  leav- 
ing gave  a  half  Joe  and  a  kiss  to  his  daughter.  As  the  people  collected 
around  the  Inn  and  were  desirous  to  have  a  sight  of  him,  he  good  na- 
turedly  took  two  or  three  turns  on  the  stoop  with  his  hat  off,  and  then 
went  in.  Jonah  Willets,  an  eccentric  Quaker,  was  ploughing  with  seve- 
ral teams  of  oxen,  and  when  Washington  stopped  to  look  at  him,  one  of 
the  officers  told  Jonah  that  was  General  Washington.  "  George  Wash- 
ington, eh,"  says  Jonah,  "who  hoy,  gee  up,"  and  on  he  went.  At 
Patchogue,  he  called  at  a  little  shop  (there  being  no  hotel)  for  oysters 
and  bread  and  butter.  At  Capt.  Daniel  Youngs',  at  the  cove,  Oyster 
Bay,  where  he  took  tea,  he  called  for  a  bowl  of  milk,  and  begged  them 
to  take  no  trouble.  As  he  passed  some  people  "  working  on  the  road," 
according  to  custom,  they  levied  a  contribution  on  him,  which  he  cheer- 
fully paid.  He  breakfasted  at  Hendrick  Onderdonk's,  Hempstead 
Harbor,  and  visited  his  paper  mill,  being  the  oldest  in  the  State. 


INDEX. 


Atlee,  Col.,  808,  812. 
Allen,  Ethan,  632,  840. 
Althouse,  John,  925. 
Antill,  John,  702. 
Axtell,  Wm.,  796. 
Ayres,  Major,  729,  750. 
Bache  The.,  834,  845. 
Baird,  Sir  Jas.,  599. 
Bailey,  Dr.  R.,  599. 
Baker,  Jona.,  580. 
Baley,  John,  699. 
Bainbridge,  A.,  853. 
Beekman,  Jas  ,  607. 

Bell,  ,  631. 

Benjamin,  John,  666. 
Benson,  Capt.,  855. 
Bennet,  Tunis,  949. 
Bergen,  Michael,  895. 
Bergen,  S  ,  833. 
Bishop,  Ezeklel,  633. 
Blatsly,  Dan'l,  695. 

Blydenburgh,  ,  650,  712. 

Boerum,  Isaac,  805. 

Bogart,  Peter,  900. 

Booihe,  Wm.,  720. 

Bowen,  Jer.,  648. 

Box,  Major,  817. 

Brewerton,  Col.  G.,  245,  785. 

Brown,  John,  626,  690. 

Brewster,  Caleb,  585,  621,  720. 

Brower.  Sam'l,  932. 

Brush,  Eliph.,  623. 

Brush,  Jesse,  719. 

Brush,  John,  620,  625. 

Brush,  Thos  ,  622. 

Buell,  Sam'l,  600. 


Burret,  Lt.,  645. 
Cameron,  Chas.,  653. 
Carll,  Piatt,  681,  765. 
Case,  Widow,  683. 
Chamier,  Dan'l,  614. 

Chester,  ,  657. 

Chichester,  Widow,  667. 
Chew,  Jos.,  631,  660. 
Chrystie,  James,  614. 
Clark,  John,  628. 
Clark,  Wm.,  580,  653,  764. 

Clarkson,  ,835. 

Cochran,  Chas.,  680. 

Coffin,  ,  667. 

Collins,  Dan'l,  606. 
Conklin,  Eben.,  739. 
Conklin,  Henry,  753. 
Conklin,  Jesse,  703. 
Conklin,  Piatt,  538. 
Cornell,  Jacobus,  851. 
Cornell,  John,  888. 
Cornell,  Lt.  Col.  Ezekiel,  817. 
Cortelyou,  S.  &  J.,  867. 
Covenhoven,  Rem,  837. 
Crewe,  Richard,  599. 
Cunningham,  Wm.,  607. 
Cuyler,  Ab'm,  722. 
Dayton,  Eben.,  600,  675. 
Davis,  Major,  747,  769. 
Davis,  Solomon,  704,  767. 
Deane,  Richard,  702. 
Debevoice,  John,  910. 
Delancey.O.,599,602. 
Denyse,  Denyse,  787,  803,  887. 
Depeyster,  Fred.,  834. 
Dering,  Thos.,  640,  647. 


266 


INDEX. 


Dickie,  ,  894. 

Ditmars,  John,  959. 
Domini,  Nath'l,  662. 
Drake,  Eben.,  684. 
Drawyer,  John,  928. 

Dunbar,  ,  643. 

Duryea  Cor.,  885. 

Dunscomb,  ,  805. 

Duryea,  Geo  &  Peter,  876. 
Elderkin,  Capt.,  679,  718. 
Ely,  Col.,  638. 
Erskine,  Sir  Wm.,  601,  682. 
Fairbank,  Phineas,  648. 
Fanning,  Col ,  832. 
Fanning,  Gilbert,  707. 
Fanning,  Thos.,  619,  660. 
Field,  John,  606. 
Fitch,  Capt.,  726. 
Flahaven,  John,  845. 
Fleet,  Gilbert  &  Simon,  734. 
Floyd,  Benj.,  674,  704. 
Floyd,  Rich.,  619. 
Floyd,  Wm.,  62],  707. 
Foley,  Rev.,  871. 
Foster,  John,  537. 
Foster  Peter,  684. 
Fountain,  Steph.,  580. 
French,  Lt.,  618. 
Gardiner,  Ab'm,  603. 
Gardiner,  David,  6S3,  736. 
Galbreath,  Capt.,  864. 
Glover,  Elias,  700. 
Glover,  Grover,  648. 
Glover,  Sam'l,  617. 
Goldsmith,  Wilmot,  644. 
Gray,  Eben.,  667. 
Greene,  Jos.,  618,638. 
Greene,  Oba.  &  John,  686. 
Griffen,  P.,  644,  648,  659. 
Grenell,  John,  545,  740,  747. 
Gyer,  N.  &  L.,  580. 
Hale,  Capt.  N.,  607, 
Hallock,  George,  657. 
Hand,  Col.,  796,  814,  827. 
Hart,  Capt.,  638. 
Hart,  Isaac,  720. 
Hart,  Rev.  Joshua,  632. 
Harper,  Robt.,  597. 

Harrison,  ,  603. 

Harrison,  John,  956. 
Haslet,  Col.,  809. 


Havens,  Benj.,  688. 

Havens,  Jos.,  736. 

Havens,  Nicoll,  736. 

Hawley,  David,  633. 

Hawley,  Henry,  761. 

Heacock,  Sam'l,  741. 

Hedges,  Deacon,  751. 

Hegeman,  Adrian,  886. 

Hegeman,  Elbert,  842. 

Hegeman,  Rem,  834. 

Hewlett,  John,  614. 

Helme,  Thos.,  548. 

Hempstead,  Robt.,  540,  600. 

Hempstead,  Steph.,  607. 

Hewlett,  Rich.,  Col.,  634, 638,  642. 

Hicks,  Whithead,  599. 

Hill,  John,  714,  928. 

Hinchman,  Robert,  599. 

Hindford,  Wm.,  652. 

Hobart,  J.  S.,  597. 

Holliday,  John,  579. 

Holmes,  Dr.  Silas,  599,  833. 

L'Homrnedieu,  Ez.,537. 

Houston,  Jas.,  7U3. 

Howard,  Wm  ,  599,  805. 

Howell,  David,  671. 

Hoogland,  Jeromus,  805. 

Hubbard,  Sam'l,  799. 

Hudson,  Fred  k,  619. 

Hulbert,  John,  546,  585,  640. 

Hulst,  John,  877. 

Humphreys,  Major,  645. 

Humphreys,  Walter,  749. 

Huntington,  Col.,  821. 

Hylei,  Adam,  895,  900,  925. 

Jarvis,  Moses,  741. 

Jackson,  N.  P.,  745. 

Jackson,  Thos.,  720. 

Jayne,  Wm.,  712. 

Johnson,  Barent,  961. 

Johnson,  B.  J.,  648. 

Johnson,  Col  Philip,  814,  823. 

Johnson,  Hend'k,  916. 

Jones,  Gilbert,  579. 

Jones,  Oba  ,  603,  640. 

Kelsey,  Steph.,  562,  689. 

Kendal,  Capt.,  636. 

Kemble,  Steph.,  634. 

Ketcham,  Carll,  622. 

Ketcham,  Isaac,  544,  603,  606. 

Ketcham,  Jos  ,  702. 


INDEX. 


267 


Kiehline,  Col.,  821. 
Landon,  David,  671. 
Langdon,  Mark,  650. 
Lamberson,  D.,  599. 
Lasher,  Col.,  821. 
Lawrence,  Major,  596. 
Lawrence,  Win.,  740. 
Lay,  Lt.,  645. 
Lefferts,  Leffert,  771,  942. 
Lee,  Gen.,  774 
Legget,  Ab'm,  719. 
Lewis,  Jos.,  652. 
Livingston,  H.  B.,  600,  603. 
Lott,  Ab'm  E.,  772. 
Lott,  Joh.  E  ,  950. 
Lott,  Jeromus,  914,  962. 
Lott,  Maurice,  940. 
Loosely  &  Elms,  884,  938. 
Lownsburv,  Wm.,  741. 
Ludlam,  Wm.,  607. 
Luquer,  Ab'm  882,  964. 
Lynch,  Maj.  John, 849. 
Lyon,  Rev.  Jas.,  548. 

Lyon,  ,  667. 

Mclntire,  ,  656. 

Magaw,  Col.,  835. 
Marks,  Capt  ,  750. 
Martense,Geo.,  845. 
Martin,  Col.,  796. 
Martin,  Jas.  S.,  820. 
Marrener,  Wm.,844,  846,  894. 
Matthews,  Mayor,  785. 
Meigs,  Col ,  631,  638. 
Mifflin,  Gen.,  827. 
Miles,  Col.,  814,  835. 
Miller,  Burnet,  533. 
Miller,  Henry,  827. 
Miller,  Richard,  610. 
Ming.'Thos.,  653. 
MoncriefTe,  Major,  845. 
Morris,  Capt.  David,  897. 
Morris,  Gov.,  599. 
Morrison,  John,  612,  613. 
Mowat,  Jacob,  852. 
Muirson,  Heathcot,  720. 
Munro,  David,  727. 
Murray,  Lindley,  656. 
Neefus,  Peter,  963. 
Nicoll,  Wm  ,  647,  656,  684. 
Norton,  Nath'l,  766,  769. 
Olney,  Stephen,  817. 


Popham,  Major,  818. 
Parks,  Thos.,  744. 
Parsons,  Gen.,  631,  634,  638. 
Peck,  Jos.,  736. 
Pierrepont,  Capt.,  725. 
I  Philips,  Wm.,  707,  712. 
Philips,  Sam'l,  681. 
Piatt,  Dr.  Z„  606,  625,  637. 
Piatt,  Nath'l,  585,  681. 
Place,  Thos.,  635. 
Polhemus,  Th  ,  792. 

Pond,  Capt.,  607. 

Potter,  Gilbert,  558,  590. 
!  Punderson,E.,  612,  654,  712. 

Rankin,  Jas  ,  908. 

Rapalje,D  ,  840. 

Rapalje,  John,  653,  802. 
I  Rapalje,  Stephen,  836. 

Raymond,  Stent.  679. 
i  Reeve,  Isaac,  577,666. 
\  Remsen,  Jer.,  771. 
'  Reed,  Jos.,  804. 

Remsen,  Rem  H  ,  943,961. 

Rhinelander,  Fred  ,  776. 

Richmond,  Col.,  621. 

Rider,  Valentine,  727. 

Riker,  Ab'm,  596. 

Robertson,  ,  658. 

Rodgers,  Capt.,  606. 

Roe,~Dan'l,  610,  621. 

Roe,  Philip,  656,  733. 
j  Rogers,  Zophar,  709. 
I  Rubell,  J.  C,  835,845. 

Rutgers,  Harmanus,  796. 

Ryerson,  John,  913. 

Sawyer,  Moses,  647. 

Sayre,  Rev.  Jas.,  843,  874. 

Scribner,  Benj  ,  579. 

Scott,  David,  934. 

Schenck,  Lt.  John,  844. 

Schenck,  Martin,  868. 

Schenck,  Nicholas,  900. 
,  Seaman,  Maurice,  688,  692. 

Seaman,  Wm.,  676. 

Seton,  Andrew,  704. 

Shaw,  Lemuel,  780. 

Shaw,  Nath'l,  660. 

Sherbrook,  ?>liles,  845. 

Simmons,  Capt.,  644. 

Simms,J.  R.  607. 

Simms,  John  C,  644. 


268 


INDEX. 


Simcoe,  Lt.  Col.,  711. 
Skidmore,  Sam'l,  374  606. 
Skudder,  Henry,  743. 
Smallwood,  Col.,  811. 
Smith,  Dan'l,  535. 
Smith,  Geo.,  610,  674. 
Smith,  Jeffrey,  555,  590,  600. 
Smith,  Isaac,  674,  699,  757. 
Smith,  Josiah,  586,598,  632. 
Smith,  Jacob,  610,  616,  621. 
Smith,  Jas.,  657. 
Smith,  Shubael,652. 
Smi.h,  Sol.,  627. 
Smith,  Win,  532,  555,  563. 
Stanton,  Henry,  960. 
Stevens,  Capt.,  851. 
Stewart,  John,  703. 
Stirling,  Lord,  779,  808. 

Stone,  ,  652. 

Striker,  Garret,  870. 
Strong,  Benajah,  600,  688,  720. 
Strong,  Selah,  541,  641,  760. 
Storer,  Capt.,  933. 
Sullivan,  Gen.,  796,  807. 
Suydam,  Jacob,  834. 
Suydam,  Lamb't,  961. 
Tallmadge,  Benj.,  720,  743. 
Thomas  Chas  ,  633. 
Thompson,  Isaac,  565. 
Thorne,  Thos  ,  596. 
Tilloison,  Nicholas,  681. 
Titus,  Benj  ,  639. 
Toby,  Sam'l  653. 
Townsend,  James,  597. 
Townsend,  Robert,  607. 
Treadwell,  Thos..  541,  681. 
Trescott,  Major,  743. 
Troop,  Capt.,  631. 
Troup,  Robert,  599. 
Tryon,  Win.,  620,  664. 
Tuthill,  Rufus,  629. 
Turnbull,  Lt.  Col  ,  862. 
Underhill,  Amos,  653. 


•  Vail,  John,  736. 
j  Vail,  Jona.,  659. 

Vail,  Peter,  753. 

Van  Alstvne,  P.,  722. 

Van  Brunt,  R.,  783;  846,916. 

Van  Buskirk,  Lawrence,  872. 

Van  Buren,  ,  869,  908. 

Van  Cortland,  Aug.,  845. 

Van  Cott,  Wm,  823. 
j  Vanderbilt,  Jer.,  796. 

Vanderpool,  J.  722. 
I  Vandevoort,  P.,  794. 
i  Van  Dyke,  ,  780. 

Van  Dyck,  Rev.  H  ,  677. 
j  Van  Pelt,  Rem,  846. 

Van  Ranst,  Ab'm,  770,  800. 

Van  Sinderin,  U..  835. 

Van  Wyck,  Cor.,  596. 

Vonck,  Joseph,  963. 
I  Waldron,  Adolph,  773,  779. 
|  Wattles,  Capt.,  744. 
:  Ward,  Col.,  777,  801,  811. 
I  Warne,  Wm.,  599,  603. 

Webb,  Col  S.  B.,  638. 

Webb,  James,  606. 

Weser,  ,  658. 

Wiekham,  Thomas,  758. 

Wicks,  Thomas,  544,  623. 

Wilkinson,  John,  753. 

Williams,  Nath'l,  544,  652,  689. 

Winslow,  Pelham,  953. 

VVitherspoon,  Peter,  848. 

Wood,  Israel,  534,  603,  689. 

Wooden,  Sol.,  607. 

Woodhull,  Nathan,  732. 

Woodhull,  Nath'l,  590,  599. 

Woodhull,  Stephen,  681. 

Wright,  Oba.,  628,  643. 

Wykoff,  Jacob,  847. 

Youngs,  Dan'l,  634. 

Youngs,  J.,  660. 

Youngs,  Israel,  544. 


DOCUMEiNTS  AND  LETTERS 

INTENDED  TO  ILLUSTRATE 

THE 

REVOLUTIONARY  INCIDENTS 

OF 

QUEENS  COUNTY; 

WITH 

CONNECTING  NARRATIVES,  EXPLANATORY 
NOTES,  AND  ADDITIONS. 


BY 

HENRY  ONDERDONK,  Jr. 


"Posterity  delights  in  details." — J.  Q.  Adams. 


NEW-YORK : 
LEAVITT,   TROW   AND  COMPANY, 
194  BROADWAY. 

1846. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  work  is  not  a  history,  but  rather  a  con- 
tribution towards  a  history,  of  Queens  County  during 
the  Revolution.  The  materials  are  derived  from  the  fol- 
lowing sources : 

I.  The  printed  Journals  of  the  Continental  and  New- 
York  Provincial  Congresses  ;  and  the  MS.  Journal,  Let- 
ters and  Papers  of  the  N.  Y.  Provincial  Congress. 

II.  The  military  papers  of  Col.  John  Sands  and 
Major  Richard  Thome,  kindly  loaned  me  by  T.  W. 
Smith  and  J.  W.  Thome,  respectively. 

III.  Force's  American  Archives,  Almon's  Remem- 
brancer and  Parliamentary  Register,  Gentleman's  Mag- 
azine, and  the  Brodhead  Documents. 

IV.  Rivington's  Gazette,  Gaine's  Mercury,  Holt's 
Journal,  Loudon's  Packet,  Hartford  Courant,  New  Haven 
Journal,  New  London  Gazette,  New  Jersey  Gazette, 
Kollock's  New-York  Gazetteer. 

V.  Sparks's  Writings  of  Washington,  Graydon's  Me- 
moirs, Hinman's  Connecticut,  Simcoe's  Journal,  Gaine's 
Almanac    and    Register,    Thompson's   Long  Island, 


PREFACE.  3 

Strong's  Flatbush,  Dunlap's  Works,  Haliburton's  Nova 
Scotia. 

VI.  Conversations  with  aged  people  of  Queens 
County. 

Many  thanks  are  due  to  G.  C.  SchaefTer,  of  Columbia 
College  Library  ;  to  Geo.  H.  Moore,  of  the  Historical 
Rooms,  New- York  :  toS.  F.  Haven,  of  Antiquarian  Hall, 
Worcester ;  to  E.  C.  Herrick,  of  Yale  College  Library ; 
and  to  Messrs.  Robbins,  Brinley  and  Parsons,  of  the 
Connecticut  Historical  Society,  for  their  courtesy  in  lay- 
ing open  the  treasures  of  their  respective  libraries  ;  and 
also  to  Gen.  Johnson,  B.  F.  Thompson,  the  Historian  of 
Long  Island,  the  Rev.  John  Goldsmith,  Rev.  J.  B.  Felt, 
Dr.  E.  Seely,  and  H.  Floyd  Jones,  for  sundry  communi- 
cations. 

As  this  work  is  necessarily  imperfect,  the  author 
would  feel  under  obligations  to  any  one  who  will  take 
the  trouble  to  send  him  any  corrections,  or  point  out 
other  sources  of  information. 


Jamaica,  L.  L,  May  1,  1S46. 


CONTENTS. 


star  is  prefixed  to  papers  never  before  published.  | 

PART  1. 

rise  and  f rogress  of  the  revolutionary  spirit. 

Sec. 

1  Resolutions  at  Oyster  Bay,  on  the  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act, 

2.  Meeting  at  Jamaica  and  election  of  a  Committee. 

3.  Address  of  Jamaica  Committee  to  Delegates  in  Congress. 

4.  Protest  of  Jamaica  Loyalists  against  Committees. 

5.  Committee  of  seventeen  chosen  at  Newtown. 

6.  Resolutions  passed  by  the  Committee  at  Newtown. 

7.  Protest  of  Newtown  Loyalists. 

8.  Meeting  at  Oyster  Bay. 

9.  Committee  chosen  at  Flushing. 

10.  Poetry  picked  up  in  Queens  County. 

11.  A  Provincial  Convention  to  be  held. 

12.  Vote  of  Jamaica. 

13.  Vote  of  Newtown. 

14.  Hempstead  Resolutions. 

15.  Vote  of  Flushing. 

16.  *Vote  of  Oysier  Bay. 

17.  Certificate  of  Minority  at  Oyster  Bay. 

18.  Queens  County  has  no  vote  in  Convention. 

19.  A  Provincial  Congress  to  be  held. 

20.  Lieutenant  Governor  Colden  addressed  at  Jamaica. 

21.  *Protest  of  Oyster  Bay  Justices. 

22.  Election  of  Deputies  in  Queens  County. 

23.  Congress  opened  with  daily  prayers. 

24.  List  of  Committee  Men  in  Queens  County. 

25.  *Form  of  Association. 

26.  Congress  consider  the  state  of  Queens  County. 

27.  Congress  order  Members  from  Queens  to  fake  their  seats. 


CONTENTS. 


Sec. 

28.  Congress  appoint  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

29.  1  cwt.  of  gunpowder  voted  Joseph  Robinson. 

30.  *A.  Lawrence  and  G.  Beihune  examined. 

31.  Arms  impressed  from  Non-Associators. 

32.  *List  of  Jamaica  Minute  Men. 

33.  Cow  and  Great  Neck  separate  from  Hempstead. 

34.  Vote  of  Queens  County  for  Deputies. 

35.  The  Asia  supplies  arms,  &c,  to  the  disaffected. 

36.  Resolutions  of  Congress  against  Queens  County. 

37.  Continental  Congress  order  delinquents  to  be  disarmed. 

38.  Col.  Heard's  Expedition  into  Queens  County. 

39.  'Evidence  against  one  of  the  disaffected. 

40.  Congress  order  Queens  County  to  be  regimented. 

41.  Expedition  of  Ward  and  Seers  in  Queens  County. 

42.  Guard  stationed  at  Rockaway. 

43.  Disaffected  not  to  move  into  Cow  and  Great  Neck. 

44.  A  delinquent  at  Cow  Neck  advertised. 

45.  Arms  of  Non-Associators  to  be  given  to  recruits. 

46.  Association  of  forty  Jamaica  Militia  Men. 

47.  British  pilot  boat  taken  at  Rockaway. 

48.  Petition  of  twelve  disarmed  Jamaica  Militia  Men. 

49.  Election  of  Deputies  in  Queens  County. 

50.  Jamaica  Committee  revived. 

51.  Disobedience  in  Capt.  Sands's  Company. 

52.  *List  of  the  Militia  of  Cow  and  Great  Neck. 

53.  Currency  counterfeited  at  Cold  Spring. 

54.  *List  of  Militia  Companies  in  Queens. 

55.  Congress  order  able-bodied  citizens  to  return  to  New-York. 

56.  Disaffected  not  to  move  into  or  pass  through  Jamaica. 

57.  Jamaica  Committee  send  a  delinquent  to  New-York. 

58.  Congress  vote  gunpowder  to  Jamaica  Militia. 

59.  Newtown  boys  raise  the  King's  standard. 

60.  *Proceedings  against  the  disaffected  of  Queens. 

61.  Congress  vote  £100  and  1  cwt.  powder  to  Queens  County. 

62.  *Gen.  Scott  orders  Queens  County  drafts  to  New-York. 

63.  "Defaulting  Militia  hunted  in  the  swamps. 

64.  'Information  respecting  certain  persons  at  Jamaica. 

65.  *Swamp  fight  in  Hempstead. 

66.  *Queens  County  Committee  apply  for  500  troops. 

67.  *  Warrant  to  search  for  arms  at  Hempstead. 


6  CONTENTS. 

Sec. 

68.  Washington  sends  a  party  after  the  disaffected. 

69.  *List  of  prisoners  6ent  from  Hempstead. 

70.  Election  of  Deputies  in  Queens  County. 

71.  Election  of  Militia  Officers  at  Cow  Neck. 

72.  Election  of  a  Militia  Officer  at  Jamaica. 

73.  *Stock  to  be  removed  from  South  Side  of  Queens  County. 

74.  *A11  secreted  persons  to  be  apprehended. 

75.  Congress  approve  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

76.  *Boats  hauled  up  at  Hog  Island. 

77.  Congress  vote  10,000  cartridges  and  1,000  flints  to  Queens  County. 

78.  Congress  vote  $10  bounty  to  recruits. 

79.  *Report  on  the  state  of  Stock  in  Queens  County. 

80.  *Militia  drafted  to  drive  off  the  Stock. 

81.  List  of  Officers  of  drafted  troops. 

82.  *Gen.  Woodhull's  Letters  to  Queens  County  Militia. 

83.  *List  of  Recruits  in  Queens  County. 

84.  *Congress  grant  money  to  Queens  County. 

85.  Officers  of  Jamaica  Minute  Company. 

86.  Howe's  Declaration  posted  in  Queens  County. 

87.  *Col.  Birdsall  ordered  to  Rockaway. 

88.  *  Defaulters  hide  in  Massapequa  Swamp. 

89.  *Lieut.  J.  Townsend  stationed  at  Matinecock. 

90.  *Sergeant  Manee  stationed  at  Sands's  Point. 

91.  *Sergeant  Hicks  stationed  at  Hewlett's  Point. 

92.  *Wairant  to  take  security  for  removal  of  Stock. 

93.  *Gen.  Greene  orders  the  new  Levies  to  his  Camp. 

94.  Half  the  militia  of  Queens  ordered  to  Brooklyn. 

95.  Congress  vote  .£200  to  Flushing  for  support  of  fugitives  from  N.Y. 

96.  *Lis  tof  Capt.  Nostrand's  men  stationed  at  Rockaway. 

97.  Capt.  Suydam  seizes  a  boat  at  Rockaway. 

98.  *List  of  Officers  of  Col.  Smith's  Regiment. 

99.  Congress  order  Gen.  Woodhull  to  drive  off  Stock. 

100.  Woodhull  writes  to  Congress  for  assistance. 

101.  The  enemy's  ships  off  Great  Neck. 

102.  Queens  County  Militia  recross  to  Long  Island. 

103.  *Pay  Rolls  of  Queens  County  Militia. 

104.  British  Army  march  to  Newtown. 

105.  British  erect  a  Fort  at  Hell-Gate. 

106.  British  embark  at  Newtown  Creek  and  land  at  Kip's  Bay. 

107.  British  Officers  quartered  at  Newtown. 


CONTENTS. 


T 


PART  II. 

seizure  of  whigs. 

Sec. 

108.  British  Light-Horse  enter  Newtown. 

109.  do.  do.  Flushing. 

110.  The  Highlanders  at  Flushing. 

111.  The  Light-Horse  seize  Woodhull  at  Jamaica. 

112.  WoodhulFs  dying  declaration. 

113.  Elias  Bayles,  of  Jamaica,  carried  off. 

114.  Other  Whigs  of  Jamaica  seized. 

115.  Light-Horse  enter  North  Hempstead. 

116.  do.        visit  Col.  Sands's  house. 

117.  do.        carry  off  Adrian  Onderdonk. 

118.  do.  do.     Major  Thorne. 

119.  Oyster  Bay  Committee  break  up. 

120.  Kings  County  Light-Horse  cross  the  Sound. 

121.  Ministerial  Troops  at  Oyster  Bay. 

122.  George  Townsend  and  John  Kirk  carried  off. 

PART  III. 

PETITION  AND  REPRESENTATION  OF  QUEENS  COUNT T. 

123.  List  of  1293  Petitioners. 

124.  Gov.  Tryon  reviews  the  Militia  of  Queens  County. 
PART  IV. 

ARMED  OCCUPATION. 

Incidents  at  Newtown. 
Incidents  at  Flushing. 
Incidents  at  Jamaica. 
Incidents  at  North  Hempstead, 
Incidents  at  Hempstead. 
Incidents  at  Oyster  Bay. 

British  Proclamations  relating  to  Queens  County. 
List  of  Troops  that  lay  in  Queens  County. 

PART  V. 

CONCLUSION. 

520 — 521.    Evacuation  of  Queens  County. 
522 — 525.    Emigration  to  Nova  Scotia. 
526.    Celebration  of  the  Peace. 
527 — 530.    Suits  against  Loyalists. 
531.    Tax  laid  on  Queens  County. 


125—167. 
168—211. 
212—283 
289—337. 
338—367. 
368-^30. 
431_480. 
481—519. 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


A. 

AlbertBon,  Derrick,  robbed,  336. 
Alexander,  Joseph,  hung,  337. 
Allen,  Henry,  33,  101. 
Altrecht,  Capt.  Barent,  353,  note. 
Arnberman,  Derick,  murdered,  255. 
Areeon,  Benj., robbed,  2U5. 


B. 

Baylis,  Capt.  Ephraim,  48,  58. 
Baylis,  Elias,  56,  57,  113. 
Baxter,  Israel,  330. 
Bennet,  Jacob,  robbed,  157. 
Birdsall,  B.,  42,  66,  81,  83,  87,  88, 

218,  292. 
Birch,  Col.,  117,  118,  505. 
Blackwell,  Samuel,  6,  13,  108. 
Bloodgood,  Widow,  109. 
Bloomer,  Rev.  Joshua,  213,  240. 
Bogart,  Isaac,  1 19. 
Bogart  Tunis,  334,  368,  note. 
Bowden,  Rev.  Mr.,  2 13,  225,  260. 
Bowne,  Willet,  robbed,  204. 
Brewerton,  Col.  George,  245,  485. 
Brooks,  Dr.  David,  320,  397. 
Brown,  Col.  Monfort,383,483,492. 
Brush,  Major,  316,  note,  395. 
Burling,  James,  109,  520. 
Burns,  Michael,  117. 
Burnet,  Rev.  M.,  212. 
Burtia,  John,  attacked,  323. 
Burr,  James,  shot,  323. 
Butler,  John,  robbed,  411. 


C. 

Carlton,  Si:  Guy,  461,  note,  520. 


Carpenter,  Jacob,  robbed,  386. 
Clowes,  Samuel,  468. 
Cock,  Capt.  Abm..  taken,  391. 
Cock,  Wm„  robbed,  386. 
Cock,  Clark,  robbed,  394. 
Cock,  Samuel,  robbed,  404. 
Coe,  Capt.  Benjamin,  102,103,526. 
Coe,  Jona.,  108. 
Colden,  David,  123,  191,  460. 
Colden, Lt.  Gov.,  2,  note;  address- 
ed, 20. 

Coles,  Nathaniel,  horse  stolen,  415. 

Coles,  Albert,  carried  off,  397. 

Coles,  Lieut.  Robert,  54,  63. 

Cornwell,  Cor.,  robbed,  336. 

Comwell,  Wm,  33,  90,  330. 

Cornwell,  John,  33,  90. 

Cornwell,  Aspinwall,  33,305. 

Comwell,  Hewlett,  330. 

Cornwell,  Richard,  widow  of,  rob- 
bed, 336. 

Corsa,Coi.  Isaac,  190. 

Covert,  Tunis,  255. 

Craft,  Wright,  336. 

Creed,  Wm  ,  113,  282. 

Creed,  Benjamin,  261. 

Cruger,  John  Harris, 484. 

Cumberson,  Thomas,  shoots  a  sol- 
dier, 166. 

Cunningham,  W  ,  117,  200,  note, 
368,  note. 

Cutting,  Rev.  Leonard,  338. 


D. 

Delancey,  Gen.  Oliver,  214,  368, 

4b2,  483. 
Delancey,  Maj.  Oliver,  112,  505. 
Dibble,  Fyler,  378. 
Dickie,  Capt.,  350,  353,  357. 


INDEX. 


9 


Ditmars,  Dowe,  108,  272. 
Ditmars,Abm  ,  72,  114. 
Dodge,  Peter,  115. 
Dodge,  Thomas,  33,  296. 
Doughty,  Samuel,  267,  note;  rob 

bed,  365. 
Downing,  Silas,  robbed,  427. 
Doxey,  Isaiah,  96,  note,  213. 
Duryee,  Daniel,  11 3. 


E. 

Edsall,  Philip,  218. 
Emerick,  Lieut.  Col.,  375. 
Envidito,  John,  taken,  419. 
Erskine,  Sir  William,  117,  390. 
Everitt,  Benjamin,  robbed,  281. 


F. 

Fanning,  Col.  Edmund,  491. 
Farley,  Capt.  James,  robbed,  41 1 . 
Farmer,  John,  71, note. 
Field,  Hezekiah,  108. 
Fleet,  Arnold,  carried  off,  398. 
Foster,  Sol.,  shoots  a  soldier,  367. 
Franklin,  Hon.  Wm,  407,  410. 
French,  Capt.  Joseph,  26. 
Friend,  Charles,  53. 
Froeligh,  Rev.  Sol.,  213,  note. 
Furman,  William,  113,  165. 


G. 

Glean,  William,  205. 
Greene,  Gen.  Nath'l,  letter  from,  93. 
Griswold,  Joseph,  299. 
Guthrie,  William,  hung,  337. 


H. 

naire,  jona.,  snoots  a  soldier,  424. 
Haines,  Alexander,  314. 
Hale,  Capt.  N.,  368,  note. 
Haltet,  Joseph,  robbed,  132. 
Hamilton,  Col.  Archibald,  60,  182, 

193,  note,  195,446. 
Hawimon,  Jupiter,  410,  note. 


Hart,  Rev.  Joshua,  221. 

Haviland,  David,  sheep  stolen,  211. 

Heard,  Col.,  38. 

Hedger,  James,  shot,  200. 
I  Hegeman,  Andrew,  368,  note. 

Hegeman,  Judge  Elbert,  117. 

Hegeman,  Elbort,  334. 

Hegeman,  Joost,  425. 

Hewlett,  Capt.  Benj.,  347,  253. 

Hewlett,  Richard,  robbed,  336. 

Hewlett,  Lieut.  Col.  Richard,  31, 
35,  190,  342,  423,486. 

Hewlett,  James,  robbed,  322. 

Hewlett,  Joseph,  91. 

Hewlett,  Capt.  St.,  347,  363. 

Herrold,  Samuel,  robbed, 301. 

Hicks,  Capt.  Charles,  347,  353,359. 
,  Hicks,  Tho's,  22,  26  ;  robbed,  197. 

Hicks,  Serg't  William,  91. 

Higbie,  Stephen,  193,  note. 

Hinchman,  Robert,  114,  529. 

Holroyd,  John,  300,  robbed,  310. 
i  Horton,  Rev.  Simon,  108. 
j  Howard,  William,  99. 
|Hyler,  Capt.,  361,  362. 


I. 

Inglis,  Rev.  C,  56,  note. 
Ireland,  John,  carried  off,  376. 


J. 

Jackson,  John,  robbed,  350. 
Jackson,  Parmenas,  murdered,  354. 
i  Janecke,  Lieut.  Col.,  500. 
Jay,  James,  316,  note. 
Jay,  John,  draws  up  a  report  on 

Queens  County,  37. 
Jervis,  David,  shoots  Capt.  Martin 

and  Jim  Brown,  323. 
Jones,  Capt.  David,  350,  note,  360. 
Jones,  Hallet,  365. 
Jones,  Hon.  Thomas,  402,  468. 


K. 

Keteltas,  Rev   Abm.,  2,  75,  111, 
251,375. 


10 


INDEX. 


Kirby,  Benjamin,  397. 

Kirk,  John,  122,  424. 

Kissam,  Benjamin,  report  on  stock 

of  Queens  County,  79. 
Kissam,  Daniel,  Esq.,  22. 
Kissam,  Daniel  Whitehead,  41. 


L. 

Lamberson,  David,  114. 
Latham,  Dr.  Samuel,  118. 
Laton,  Capt.  David,  54,  63,  83. 
Lawrence,  Jacobus,  innkeeper,  338. 
Lawrence,  Jona.,  22,  77,  102,  108. 
Lawrence,  D  ,  218. 
Lawrence,  William,  104,  107. 
Lawrence,  Richard,  108. 
Lee,  Gen.  Charles,  letter  from,  41. 
Livingston,  John,  Jr.,  57,  64,  263. 
Livingston,  Philip  J.,  463,466. 
Lloyd,  Henry,  James,  Joseph,  and 

John,  410. 
Lobden,  Stephen,  shot,  423. 
Ludlam,  Nicholas,  265,  231. 
Ludlam,  William,  robbed,  282,  410, 

430. 

Ludlow,  Hon.  George  Duncan,  305. 

311,460. 
Ludlow,  Col.  Gabriel  G.,  305,  486. 
Luyster,  John,  530. 


M. 

Manee,  Richard,  83,  90, 116. 

Martin,  Dr.  St.,  60,  64. 

Martin,  Capt.  Stephen,  shot,  323. 

Marrener,  Capt.  Wm  ,  taken,  353. 

Mather,  Rev.  M  ,  carried  off,  412. 

McEvers,  James,  64,  114. 

Meserole,  John,  157. 

Mills,  Samuel,  robbed,  281. 

Mills,  Hope,  51,  224. 

Mitchell,  Benjamin,  murdered,  327. 

Mitchell,  Lieut.  Tho's,  33,  51,  63. 

Mitchell,  Uriah,  sheriff,  337. 

Monfort,  Jacobus,  424,  note. 

Monfort,  Joost,  119. 

Moore,  Robert,  111. 

Moore,  Lambert,  117. 

Moore  ,Tho's  Lambert,  teacher,  1 42.  1 


Morrell,  John,  330. 

Mott,  Adam,  robbed,  336,337. 

Mott,  William,  robbed,  336. 

Mott,  John,  359. 

Mudge,  Michael,  robbed,  332. 

Muirson,  Heathcoat,  shot,  410. 


N. 

Nostrand,  Capt.  Peter,  96. 
Nostrand,  Capt.  Daniel,  63. 


O. 

Ogden,  Dr.  I.,  111,256. 
Onderdonk,  Adrian,  letter  from,  71, 
117. 

Onderdonk,  Peter,  316. 
Onderdonk,  Hendrick,  115,  note; 

robbed,  315. 
Onderdonk,  Andrew,  94,  note,  102. 
Onderdonk,  Andrew  H.,  115,  not€. 


P. 

Parsons,  Gen.,  374,  388, 390. 
Pearsall,  Thomas,  carried  off,  314  ; 

robbed,  336. 
Pearsall,  Israel,  robbed,  333. 
Pearsall,  Uriah,  353,  note. 
Peters,  Hewlett,  14. 
Pettet,  Benjamin,  65. 
Pine,  James,  353,  note. 
Polhemus,  Jacob,  106. 
Polhemus,  Capt.  John,  235,288. 
Pool,  James,  robbed,  336. 
Putnam,  Gen.  Israel,  103  ;  letter 

of,  388. 


R. 

Ramage,  James,  337. 

Rapalje,  John,  prisoner,  402,  note. 

Rapalje,  Daniel,  Esq.,  26. 

Rapalje,  Cor.,  shoots  a  soldier,  167. 

Rawdon,  Lord,  249,  488. 

Ray  nor,  Joseph,  350 

Remsen,Maj.Abm.,  59,81,83, 108. 


INDEX. 


11 


Remscn,  Col.  Jeromus,  34  ;  letter 
from,  73;  94,  101,  102,108. 

Remsen,  Jeremiah,  shoots  three  sol- 
diers, 167. 

Rennie,  Samuel,  107. 

Rider,  Step., wounds  Geo.  Smith,  65. 

Riker,  Dr.,  100. 

Robertson,  Gov.,  104,  119,  461. 
Robinson,  Col.  Beverly,  493. 
Robinson,  Col.  Jos.,  18,  29, 66,  111. 
Rodman,  John,  15, 192. 
Rubell,  Rev.  Johannes  Casparus, 

213,  note. 
Rushmore.  Isaac,  robbed,  387,  427. 
Ryerson,  Cor's,  innkeeper,  205. 


S. 

Sands,  Benjamin,  116,  117. 
Sands,  Col.  John,  51,  71,  81,  116, 

316,520. 
Sands,  Simon,  90. 
Schoonmaker,  Rev.  Martinus,  213. 
Scott,   Gen.  John    Morin,  letters 

from,  62. 
Schenck,  Martin,  33  ;  robbed,  331. 
Seaman,  Zeb.,  17,  292. 
Seaman,  Braddock,  wounded,  350. 
Seaman,  Capt.  Samuel,  360,  365. 
Seabury,  Rev.  Samuel,  491. 
Seabury,  Dr.,  65, 354. 
Searing,  Dr.,  65,  354. 
Searing,  John,  robbed,  336. 
Seers,  Isaac,  letter  from,  41. 
Selleck,  Capt.  Abm.,  taken,  373. 
Sheddan,  Capt.,  boat  taken,  414. 
Simcoe,  Lieut.  Col.,  390,  399,  405, 

487. 

Silliman,  Gen.,  390,  402. 
Skidmore,.Iohn,  robbed,  365. 
Skidmore,  Samuel,  robbed,  374. 
Skidmore,  Maj.  John  J.,  32, 85, 1 14. 
Skinner,  Gen.  Cortland,  483. 
Skudder,  Wm.  S.,  taken,  374,388. 
Smith,  George,  wounded,  65. 
Smith,  Joseph,  65. 
Smith,  Othniel,  constable,  1. 
Smith,  Col.  Josiah,  81,  102,  note. 
Smith,  John,  114. 
Smith,  Timothy,  293,  a. 
Smith,  Tredwell,  robbed,  336. 


Smith,  Thomas,  Esq.,  374,  430. 
SnifTen,  Peter,  robbed,  329. 
Spooner,  Gaphineah,  267. 
Springsteen,  Caspar,  138. 
Sutton,  Wm.,  carried  off,  304,398. 
Suydam,  Hendrick,  36,  note. 
Suydam,  Lambert,  letter  Irom,  97. 


T. 

Talman,  John,  15,326. 
Talman,  widow,  robbed,  200. 
Tarlton,  Lieut.  Col., 490. 
Thompson,  Lieut.  Col.,  494. 
Thorne,  John,  91,  316. 
Thorne,  Major  Richard,  22,  91,  94, 

118,  309,316,526. 
Thorne,  Tho's,  109;  robbed, 337. 
Thorne,  Capt.  Stephen,  25,  117; 

robued,  303,330. 
Thorne,  Robert,  innkeeper,  330. 
Thorne,  Ca  pt.  Joseph,  takes  a  whale 

boat,  330. 
Thurman,  John,  robbed,  194. 
Thurston,  John,  72, 1 14. 
Tom,  Capt.  Nath'l,  22,  109. 
Toogood,  Lieut.  Wm.,  76. 
Townsend,  James,  70,  100. 
Townsend,  George,  84,  122. 
Townsend,  Jotham,  89. 
Townsend,  Samuel,  8,  16,  22,  70, 

101, 122. 
Townsend,  Rich'd, robbed, 321, 336. 
Townsend,  William,  34. 
Townsend,  Miss  Sarah,  valentine 

to,  390. 

I  Townsend,  John,  122,  398,  484. 
I  Townsend,  Prior,  526. 
j  Tredwell,  Dr.  B.,  wife  of,  robbed, 
!  310. 

!  Troup,  Lieut.  Robert,  112. 
!  Tryon,  Gov.  Wm.,  117,  note,  123, 
124. 

Turnbull,  Lieut.  Col.,  489. 


U. 

Underhill,  George,  robbed,  404. 
Underhill,  Daniel,  robbed,  404. 
Underhill,  Amos,  426. 


12 


INDEX. 


Upham,  Lieut.  Col.,  408, 410. 


Valentine,  Ob.,  310,  329. 
Valentine,  Capt.  Philip,  63,80. 
Vanderbelt,  John,  109,  183. 
Van  Wyck,  Capt.  Tho's,  thanked. 

354,  note. 
Van  Wyck,  Cornelius,  49,  70,  101 

109. 

Van  Wyck,  Stephen,  15,  34, 


W. 

Wallace,  Alexander,  64, 222. 
Walton,  Abm.,  carried  off,  397. 
Warne,  William,  104,  note,  111. 
Weekes,  John,  386,  404, 422. 
Whitehead,  Benjamin,  2,  note,  64. 
257. 

Willeta,  Thomas,  sheriff,  86. 
Willis,  John,  robbed, 430. 
Williams,  John,  letter  from,  49. 


:  Williams,  Major  William,  disarms 

Loyalists,  31. 
Williams,  Lieut.  Thomas,  83,  96. 
Williams,Jate  Seaman,  Zeb.,1 7,292. 
Williamson,  John,  robbed,  282. 
Wilson,  Andrew,  teacher,  216. 
!  Wood,  Elijah,  352. 
Wood,  Selah,  robbed,  430. 
Wooden,  Solomon,  423. 
Woodhull,  Gen.,  letters  from,  33, 
40,  82,  99,  100,  111,  112,190. 
,  Woodward,  Thomas,  shoots  a  sol- 
dier, 164* 
Woolley,  Capt.  John,  309. 
■  Wright,  Nicholas,  430. 
Wrright,  John,  426. 
I  Wright,  Capt.  Jacob,  32,  103. 
|  Wurmb,Col.,499. 
I  WyckofT,   Major  Hend'k,  carries 
money  to  Clinton,  316. 


Y. 

I  Youngs,  Capt.  Israel,  410, 421 , 395. 
!  Youngs,  Jonas,  398. 


